Olympus EVOLT E-410

[Bowlerguy92]

How is this camera? I'm getting into photography and want a camera that offers expandability (lens's) and user friendliness for a beginning. I need it to have all of the normal manual controls and plenty of user creative control possible. I also like how there are manual focus rings, it's actually a real DSLR. I found this camera for just under $400 with a 14-42mm Zuiko Lens. Is there anywhere I could find this for cheaper with a lens? I won't be doing any specific shots with this camera just trying to take the best photos I can whilst learning! And as always if there is a camera that fulfills my requests for cheaper than PLEASE let me know! Thanks.

[KodiakStar]

A couple others to look at for you as well, would be the E-420 (newer version of the E-410), or bumping up to a E-500/510/520 if you can make your budget stretch that far!

I would check amazon or b&h photo for new. Used you could try ebay, or keep an eye on http://forum.fourthirdsphoto.com/ They have a for sale section there for 4/3's cameras which is what the Olympus ones are. And as always, keep an eye on the Sale section here at DPS, but there is often not as much Olympus gear floating through there.

[Bowlerguy92]

I'm also just wondering if I shouldn't just buy a cheaper camera that will take very nice photo's while still providing manual controls to see if I still like photography and am enjoying it in a few years. Maybe then I will sink some real money into a camera. But for now at least I would have a nice camera which would give me great shots that I can also control myself. I'm just taking a look at the Kodak EasyShare Z1012. I have read some very nice reviews on it.

[KodiakStar]

The problem with point and shoots, even the ones that are between the typical slim p/s and the dslr's (Like the SP-5xx line by Olympus) is that while you can adjust quite a bit more then you can with a typical point and shoot, you are still limited. There are only so many f stops you can select, shutter speed, etc. The sensors between point and shoots and DSLR's cannot be compared really. (Well they can.. but).

It really comes down to how much control you want over your shots, and how much time (AND MONEY) you want to invest in accessories, lenses, etc..

My wife always likes to point out really good pictures are taken from p/s cameras.. and while I can't explain a lot of it to her, there is nothing like the satisfaction of *feeling* your camera click, rather than a soundbite

[Bowlerguy92]

Ya, I feel you. It's just too bad photography is so expensive. I have the money to buy the Evolt but that would blow through almost all of the money I have right now until I can find another job. But really, buying a camera is almost a one time fee minus the lens's and whatnot. I can use that camera almost forever, maybe it IS worth just getting a real nice camera like the Evolt and not worrying about how my pictures look down the road. I'm now just looking for more places that I can get it for under $400.

[KodiakStar]

Another option, is the Olympus E-1, there are quite a few going for cheap right now since everyone is going for the E-520 or E-3. It is an older camera, but as far as I know takes great pictures.

Worth looking into. Think the bodies for them are going around 300-400

[Bowlerguy92]

What do you think about this deal? Is that a good enough starter lens?

[KodiakStar]

Digging the site up on reseller ratings, seems like they are a bait and switch type of store.

The lens, however, is good. Olympus is known for having the best kit lenses there are, and I have been happy with mine. I have the 14-42, and the 40-150. They are a bit too slow for low light, and are not quite as sharp as I would like, but for starter lenses they are really great.

http://flickr.com/photos/kodiakstar/2976114034/
That shot is almost straight out of camera, just a slight touch up to bring out more texture and color, but that is using the 14-42 lens.

[Bowlerguy92]

That's incredible. I guess I will have to save up some money...........or just swallow the pill and blow my load on that one camera. Are there any older models of this camera that would be cheaper that would work for me?

[KodiakStar]

Camera's are not an easy choice! Do your research, compare them to the other similar models out there by other brands. Go in a few times to different stores to try the cameras out, see how they feel in your hands. You can also do research on flickr looking for results from certain cameras and lenses to give you an end result on what you get after you take the shot!