for DSLR Camera experts/owners: what's better the Olympus E-510 or the Cannon EOS 400D/Rebel XTi ?

Question

I feel I have done enough research and I have narrowed down my choices to buy an SLR camera in the $500-$700 range between either of the named above. which one should I pick and why? or You may suggest a better camera of your taste other than the Nikon D40x?

I dont want article comparisons, i just want answers from personal experience. Thanks.

BY THE WAY: should i wait instead for new cameras coming up in 2008? (is there any)

Edwin & Clavestone:

thanks the Pentax camera's were options I had already considered, tho I elimitated the pentax k100D due to it having only 6.1MP vs 10MP (the olympus).

the Pentax K10D is also awesome, but the price is like $150 more.

Answer 1

I own a Olympus E-500, It's good but the 2x crop factor (or should I say "Designed for Digital") is not good, performs very poorly in low lighting and/or High ISO (because 10 million pixels have to be crammed onto a sensor 1/4 the size of a 35mm frame noise is much more prevalent). I now own a Canon 5D (which has a full-frame (35mm) sensor, which is larger than that of the 400D (and costs $2200 body only)). I am very happy with it. I've used a Canon 30D and it was the reason I decided to make the costly switch. The 400D, hmm... not sure I like it as much, it has less goodies than the E-500 (not to mention the E-510) so if you are wanting a camera in that price range think about what I've said. as for 2008, well there is a photo somethingerather in Feb. and either Canon or Olympus may release new camera's then. However I suspect that the camera(s) Canon may be releasing are likely to be out of your budget, while Olympus might release another camera a year or two from now because they are generally a little slower. If, however any new cameras are made they may drive down the price for the camera you are currently intending to buy. The Best of Luck.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Again, why would anyone consider the Canon Rebel XTI since it does not have image stabilization when using a telephoto or even a normal lense under dim lighting. The Olympus E-510 also has the active CMOS LCD viewer which only comes with a Nikon 200/300 and again, the Rebel has nothing of that kind. And finally, the Olympus Zuiko lenses are far superior to the EOS Canon lenses. It's the Zuiko lense on an Olympus half-frame camera which worked on top of Mt. Everest to capture Sir Hillary's conquest when the Nikon and Leica cameras failed because of freezing conditions.

Good luck!

Answer 4

IMO you should also add the Pentax K100D Super (6.1mp) and the K10D (10mp) to your list. Both have Image Stabilization (IS) in the camera body. Both can use every K-mount lens made since 1975. Yes, the older lenses will require manual focus but at least they'll have the benefits of IS.
Pentax has made a lot of quality glass over the years and these cameras give you easy access to it.

Answer 5

I'm biased. I own five Canons, from point and shoot to DSLRs.

The Canon XTi is a good camera. The only problem with it is the feel of the body, which seems to me to be a bit flimsy. It doesn't have the rigidity and feel of a higher-end Canon.

But the camera takes great pictures. It has a whole host of accessories and lenses that can go with it. Canon's customer service is excellent.

A friend recently purchased the XTi and he loves it.

I have a hard time recommending anything but Canon.

Answer 6

Olympus E510 is the one from your list I like with Dust removal, Image Stabilization in body, 100% all digital lenses (which are firmware upgradeable!), and full of features.

Not on your list but previously recomeneded is the Pentax K10D (a little more robust, weather sealed, and most compatible with older lenses)