Olympus E-400 Review

The new Olympus E-400 is the smallest and lightest digital SLR camera in the world. Inside this diminutive body is a 10 megapixel sensor, 31 automatic shooting modes, 2.5 inch LCD screen and built-in dust protection via its Supersonic Wave Filter. Does the E-400 deserve a place in your camera bag?

Website: Olympus E-400 Review

Published: Saturday, January 27, 2007

Reader Comments

1. Thank you for the extensive review Mark. The E-400 gets very few reviews in English, and almost none of them is as detailed as yours.
   
   And still, I would like to kindly ask you to expand on a few subjects if you still have the review unit. Most notably, you mention high- and low-key options. Are these selectable from the Gradation menu? How do they work, does the meter work differently to a normal shot or is it just that a different gamma curve is applied to high- and low-key images than to normal ones? Secondly, it would be great to hear more about the five metering modes you mention, especially about the differences among the three spot metering modes - highlight-, shadow- and midtone-based. These are quite unique; I know the E-500 and some OM body also had them, but other manufacturers do not seem to offer these options.
   
   Finally, was the Macro shot taken with the 14-42mm or the 40-150mm kit zoom? I believe the two kit lenses share the same minimum focussing distance, so the 40-150mm lens should give you higher magnification?

   Zoltan at 01:21pm on Friday, January 26, 2007

2. Hi Zoltan,
   
   We have some answers for you, courtesy of Olympus.
   
   High- and low-key options
   
   Q: Are these selectable from the Gradation menu? How do they work, does the meter work differently to a normal shot or is it just that a different gamma curve is applied to high- and low-key images than to normal ones? Secondly, it would be great to hear more about the five metering modes you mention, especially about the differences among the three spot metering modes - highlight-, shadow- and midtone-based.
   
   A: The high and low key options are indeed selectable from the Gradation menu.The gamma curve is changed in those modes.With high-key, it is widened the range of brighter part, and with low-key, it is widened the range of darker part. The image is as follows.
   
   http://www.photographyblog.com/images/products/olympus_e400_review_1.gif
   
   orange line ; high-key, blue line ; low-key
   
   Q: Secondly, how exactly do the three spot metering modes work?(Highlight, shadow- and midtone-based.)
   
   A: Please refer to the explanation in the instruction manual.
   
   http://www.photographyblog.com/images/products/olympus_e400_review_2.gif

   Mark Goldstein at 02:42pm on Friday, February 02, 2007

3. i thank you for your reviews the pictures u supply are like we all get [not some sunny heaven] tony

   tony aherne at 11:54pm on Monday, February 05, 2007

4. Thank you very much indeed Mark for taking the time to reply to my questions - much appreciated!

   Zoltan at 09:34am on Friday, February 23, 2007

5. No problem Zoltan, glad to be of help.

   Mark Goldstein at 10:00am on Friday, February 23, 2007

6. Hi Zoltan!
   Olympus E-400 is a very good choice. It's a dslr camera with some brand new accessories. If you have worked with some of older EOS models, you can find it very usefull. I am an owner of E-400 and pleased with it. I have found many useful informations about this model at: Olympus E-400 overview

   Karoly at 10:40am on Wednesday, April 04, 2007

7. Great review, I agree totally. Ease of use out in the field is my prime concern and this helps you capture that shot. Zoltan you can also find the Olympus camera at Kelkoo or other price review sites if you haven't bought it yet there are some bargins out there good luck.

   Marke at 03:40pm on Monday, July 09, 2007