Olympus e-620 vs Canon T1i

[Marchaprl]

After reading a ton and pushing my P&S to it's utter limits (I did love light-painting though!), I want to take the plunge into dSLR.

Realistically I'm never going to be a professional, or even an obsessive hobbyist (I'm too cheap), but I do like reading/learning and would like to be able to experiment/dabble in all types of photography (light painting, pictures of my dog, scenery, macro, food, etc). Because of all this I know I have too many desires and too small of a budget to ever hit perfection/professional.

However all that said I understand the limitations and still want a dSLR, but on a budget (I have no issues with a 2nd-hand body or even 2nd hand lenses).

I've narrowed it down to the Olympus e-620 and Canon T1i based on feel, feature layout, price, etc. Admittedly I appreciate the price point of the 620, however I'm concerned that Olympus is moving away form 4/3rds making it difficult when I eventually need to upgrade the body and am stuck with 4/3rds lenses. (I've tried Nikon, but admittedly I just don't like the feel). I own (and love) my Canon P&S, but I don't want to spend more just for the brand name.

Anyone willing to chime in with their thoughts/experiences?

[mattdm]

I share that concern on 4/3rds. I don't think it'll die immediately, but it's clearly no longer the point of interest for Olympus and Panasonic.

Have you looked at the micro-4/3rds offerings?

Going with the camera that feels best is definitely good advice, but keep in mind that first impressions — including playing with one in the store — can be decieving. It really takes a week or so of solid shooting to get an understanding for how a camera feels.

In general, I think the market is competitive enough that you're not spending (much) more for the Canon or Nikon brand names — that kind of thing is reserved for Leica.

[kuvahmagh]

I personally shoot with an E-410 and I share your concerns over the future of Olympus, so much so that I will be leaving for Canon, after having bounced around a lot of ideas I think that is where I will go, over the winter. The Olympus is nice but it just isn't keeping up with what I am doing, I do mostly Night Sports, bad choice in the first place but it has been interesting to work with and around.

If I could do it all over again I don't think I would go Olympus again, its a sad statement considering as I sit here I have my Olympus Film SLR on my desk to my right and an assortment of Olympus Film lenses to my left.