E-330 / E-500 comparisons (link)

[Paul Shields]

I found this test quite illuminating. It confirms to me that the new Pany sensor is a definite improvement in regards to being able to show good level of detail at high ISO. Shadow detail in particular looked very good. The colours were also quite close to that typical 'Oly' rendition.

[dougjgreen]

Personally, I'm surprised how close the performance is between the two cameras.. I am frankly surprised how LITTLE improvement there is at ISO 100 and especially at 400 between these two cameras. Remember that the E-330 body costs double what the E-500 does, and it uses a newer generation imager. Certainly, 800 is better, and 1600 is quite noticeably better, but they ought to be given the chronology and the money involved. This test actually makes me feel great about the E-300 I just bought. IMHO, I got 80-90% of the camera that the E-330 is for 40% of the price.

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by dougjgreen

Personally, I'm surprised how close the performance is between the two cameras.. I am frankly surprised how LITTLE improvement there is at ISO 100 and especially at 400 between these two cameras. Remember that the E-330 body costs double what the E-500 does, and it uses a newer generation imager. Certainly, 800 is better, and 1600 is quite noticeably better, but they ought to be given the chronology and the money involved. This test actually makes me feel great about the E-300 I just bought. IMHO, I got 80-90% of the camera that the E-330 is for 40% of the price.

Yes, there's nothing much between them at the low ISO's. Cleanish high ISO (while keeping detail) has always been impossible out of the camera on the Kodak sensors - certainly when light is low. This seems like a worthwhile improvement.

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by dougjgreen

Personally, I'm surprised how close the performance is between the two cameras.. I am frankly surprised how LITTLE improvement there is at ISO 100 and especially at 400 between these two cameras. Remember that the E-330 body costs double what the E-500 does, and it uses a newer generation imager. Certainly, 800 is better, and 1600 is quite noticeably better, but they ought to be given the chronology and the money involved. This test actually makes me feel great about the E-300 I just bought. IMHO, I got 80-90% of the camera that the E-330 is for 40% of the price.

Keep in mind you are getting the live view which ain't cheap. You also get back the ability to use to flashes from the e-300. Depending on what kind of photography you do the live view can prove to be the cat's meow- again, depends on what photography you do. The interface is also better than the e-300's which if you do a lot of shooting, it will be quite an important blessing.

On the good side for the e-300 though, it is better built and the viewfinder is better.

- Raist

[dougjgreen]

Originally Posted by Raist3d

Keep in mind you are getting the live view which ain't cheap. You also get back the ability to use to flashes from the e-300. Depending on what kind of photography you do the live view can prove to be the cat's meow- again, depends on what photography you do. The interface is also better than the e-300's which if you do a lot of shooting, it will be quite an important blessing.

On the good side for the e-300 though, it is better built and the viewfinder is better.

- Raist

Personally, I would not pay $50 extra for live view. That's why I jumped at the E-300 at the fire sale prices that they've been going for since the E-330 was intro'd and the E-300 was discontinued. I wish I could take some shots with it, but my E-300 is currently sitting on a big brown UPS truck somewhere making it's way across the country.

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by dougjgreen

Personally, I would not pay $50 extra for live view. That's why I jumped at the E-300 at the fire sale prices that they've been going for since the E-330 was intro'd and the E-300 was discontinued. I wish I could take some shots with it, but my E-300 is currently sitting on a big brown UPS truck somewhere making it's way across the country.

Well the e-300 is a fine camera. To be honest most of these cameras nowadays are. The e-330 is all just more convenience.

- Raist