Olympus Evolt E330 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera Zuiko Digital Ultra Zoom Lens

Since the introduction of the first single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, photographers have prized SLRs because they can see with the naked eye, through an optical viewfinder, exactly what is passing through the camera's lens. The "reflex" of a mirrored shutter that bends light to the camera's viewfinder, and then snaps open rapidly to create exposures, makes this possible and gives the SLR its advantage.

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But this SLR advantage, while delivering high-performance speed and accuracy, has one drawback in the digital age. Because the image sensor is blocked by the mirror and shutter until the moment the shutter button is pressed, the mirror and shutter mechanism prevents a traditional digital SLR from viewing and composing a photo using only the camera's Liquid Crystal Display as a viewfinder.

As anyone who has used a compact digital camera knows, composing a photo just by viewing the camera's LCD is easy and commonplace, and many compact cameras do not even offer an optical viewfinder. Composing on an LCD has its own advantages, and Olympus engineers asked the question: How can we design a new digital SLR that delivers not only the traditional through-the-lens optical viewfinder experience of an SLR, but also adds the ability to frame photos with an LCD like a compact camera?

The E330's articulated LCD screen. The E330 is also the first DSLR to feature Live View, which allows real-time composition on the LCD screen.

The solution to this technical challenge is the revolutionary Olympus Evolt E-330 digital SLR--the world's first interchangeable lens digital SLR to feature a true "Live View" image on the LCD screen, in addition to the optical viewfinder, and unite the best of both worlds.

Live View is Designed to Do More

Users of the Evolt E-330 will quickly realize that when composing an image on the LCD, they can do more with this camera than they could with comparable SLRs without Live View.

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Because the camera's LCD is "articulated," it can extend out from the camera body and swivel downward or upward so the E-330 can be held overhead to shoot over a crowd, held at the hip or even placed on the ground--something that's not possible with a traditional SLR that relies on an optical viewfinder alone. Whether shooting from a low angle for dramatic composition or in close for detailed macro photos, with the exclusive Olympus Live View LCD photographers can follow action easily and capture just the right moment with greater creative control.

The E-330's 2.5-inch high-resolution HyperCrystal LCD offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors.

Large Live View 2.5-Inch HyperCrystal LCD Monitor

Big and bright with 215,250 pixels, the E-330's 2.5-inch high-resolution HyperCrystal LCD offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors, so captured images can be beautifully displayed in vivid color on the screen with exceptional clarity. Because photos are for sharing, the E-330 LCD features a wide, 160-degree viewing angle on the vertical and horizontal axis, ensuring excellent visibility and beautiful image quality even when everyone huddles around the camera to see what you've created. The larger LCD also means the icons and text on the camera's menu display are large enough for easy viewing.

A New Live MOS 7.5-Megapixel Image Sensor

The excellent image quality of the Olympus E-System takes a giant step forward with the Evolt E-330. Newly developed specifically for this camera, the 7.5-megapixel Live MOS image sensor, with its high dynamic range, captures photos with accurate true colors, detail from edge to edge, and lower noise--bringing home all the benefits of Live View and the E-System.

Patented Dust-Reduction System for Spot-Free Photos

Dust is all around us, and when swapping out a lens on a digital single-lens reflex camera, there's a chance that a camera's electrostatically charged image sensor will attract microdust that can ruin photos. Since the main advantage of using an SLR camera is the ability to change lenses for better imaging effects, Olympus has developed a way for photographers to enjoy the freedom of using all the lenses of the Olympus E-System in the most challenging, dusty environments without compromising image quality.

Olympus's Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter, a patented ultrasonic technology that shakes at 35,000 vibrations a second to remove dust from in front of the camera sensor every time you turn the camera on, then captures the dust to prevent it from reappearing.

These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching images at the computer. The new Evolt E-330, like all Olympus digital SLR cameras, is equipped with this exclusive user-friendly technology, and only Olympus has a solution to provide spot-free photography in a digital SLR.

The E330 features both a built-in flash and a hot-shoe connector for external flashes and other accessories.

Digital-Specific Zuiko Lenses

Olympus offers the largest selection of lenses designed for digital excellence, and they're all fully compatible with the E-330. Since each lens is perfectly matched to the camera's image sensor, light is received by each pixel. As a result, images are brighter, more colorful, and super-sharp from edge to edge.

The E-330 outfit includes a compact, Zuiko Digital 18 to 180mm f3.5/f6.3 lens (equivalent to 36mm to 360mm in 35mm photography) that perfectly matches the imager so light strikes the sensor directly to ensure rich, accurate colors and edge-to-edge sharpness. Receive sharp and colorful images from this lightweight all-digital lens, from less than 18 inches away or as far as its 10x telephoto will take you.

Weighing less than 16 ounces, this durable, extremely portable lens is perfect for wide group shots or "zooming in" on your child's soccer game, and it delivers a distortion-free view and outstanding results thanks to ED glass lens elements and its built-in CPU that automatically corrects lens, shading, and exposure information.

The flat-top body design of the E330 makes it a remarkably compact DSLR.

Ergonomic Flat-Top Body Design

The E-330 camera body is lightweight with a smart design that fits naturally in your hand with a full-sized grip, and it's light and compact enough to comfortably shoot with all day. In place of the traditional pentaprism design, the camera incorporates the exclusive Olympus TTL Optical Porro Finder coupled with an exclusive side-swing mirror that gives the camera its unique "flat-top" appearance and makes it more compact for greater portability. This design also enables the camera's full-time Live View capabilities.

TruePic TURBO for Clarity and Speed

Olympus's TruePic TURBO Image Processor provides fast camera response, operation and processing speed for more responsive camera operation. This is done by closely integrating the image processor and hardware elements to eliminate unnecessary processing tasks, accelerating camera operations.

Along with the speed advantages, TruePic TURBO also produces crystal-clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide you with the best digital images possible for every photo.

PT-E02 Underwater Housing (Not Included)

The PT-E02 Underwater Housing for E-330s enables users to enjoy underwater SLR shooting. Easy to set up, it offers waterproof protection up to a depth of over 196 feet (60 meters). The Live View LCD is ideal for underwater photography because it's much easier to compose on the Evolt E-330's large, bright LCD when underwater rather than to use the optical viewfinder.

And, with three scene select modes for underwater wide, underwater macro, and underwater wide-angle auto exposures, the E-330 is designed to perform optimally in the deep. (PT-E02 Underwater Housing is not included with this kit and much be purchased separately.)

Product Description

The EVOLT E-330 is the world's first digital SLR to offer "Live" viewing through the Color LCD, making it easier to compose and capture the perfect shot. This big 2.5" LCD also features HyperCrystal technology and is designed with advanced swivel capability so you can capture one dramatic result after another from up top, down low, and everywhere in-between. With innovations like these - combined with world-class optics and our patented Dust Reduction System - the E-330 lets you shoot like no other digital interchangeable lens SLR before.

Multiple-angle 2.5 HyperCrystal LCD Digital Image

Stabilization Mode when shooting and capture clear pictures free from blur associated with moving subjects or camera shake 3 Color Parameters (Vibrant, Natural, or Muted) allow you to control color saturation, contrast and sharpness within each parameter individually / 5 Black-and-White monochrome modes are available to add dramatic effect to your images.

Direct Print enabled with PictBridge Control your flash photos with the Pop-up flash and 6 flash modes, or attach an external flash such as the FL-36 to the Hot Shoe for even more choices 4 available Recording Formats (TIFF, RAW, JPEG, RAW+JPEG) Accepts Compact Flash Card (Type I, II), Micro Drive, xD-Picture Card Type-H, Type-M and Standard (Dual Slot) Unit Size - 5.5 x 3.4 x 2.8 inches / Weighs 19 oz

A Digital SLR That Influences Creative Photography Reviewer: Artisitc Vision

I have had the E330 for about 1 month now and couldn't be happier. I looked very closely at the Canon 30D, the Nikon D50 and the Olympus E500. I am really happy I went with the E330. While there is no such thing as a perfect camera, I have found that this one in particular fits my needs and caters to my more creative side with the live view articulated view finder.

The Live A and B modes really open a lot of doors that other cameras in its class do not allow. Although it does't look as traditional as the others, the style had grown on me. I opted to get the body only so that I could upgrade the lens to a 14-54mm Zukio which is a wonderful all around lens. I find that the camera feels very good in my hands, although the D50 also had a great feel to it. It is very responsive and handles most situations well.

I like to do street photography and the live view articulating lens allows for the taking of pictures without being too obvious. The low light performance is pretty good compared to the other olympus digital SLR with its new sensor, but is still not as good as either the 30D or the D50. This may change however when Lecia releases its 4/3rds mount image stabilized lens which is supposed to be compatible with the Olympus lineup. While I am new to digital SLRs, I consider myself to be a photography enthusiast.

I started out with a Sony S85 which was a wonderful camera in many ways, but I have to say I am having a wonderful time learning about a whole new realm of photography with the E330.

I highly recommend a good look at this camera if you are looking to get into digital SLRs as it serves not only as a nice crossover camera, but as a midline intermediate SLR that will keep you wanting to get even more creative with your photographic hobby.

Live view feature is well worth the extra!! Reviewer: M. Lo

This is my first digital reflex. I had also looked at the canon 350xt, nikon d50/70, sony R1, but made the choice based on the unique Live View feature and image quality. No other dslr lets you frame using the lcd screen, which I find really useful in lots of shooting situations.

The image quality is superb, easily outresolving my previous sony 828, with much faster autofocus and low noise. The colors just pop out of the screen. I can send my pics directly to print without doing any post processing.

I had almost decided on the Sony R1, but it wasn?t as flexible (lacked an optical viewfinder and ability to change lenses)To me is the best of both worlds, digicams (rotating lcd, live framing) and dsrls (optical viewfinder, AF speed, low noise, lenses) Highly recommended!