New to SLR

[sheppardmando]

Can anyone tell me if I could tell a defference in my photos if I choose to buy an off brand (Evolt E-410 10 MP Digital SLR Camera from Olympus) as opposed to a Canon, Nikon or Pentax? If I understand, the photo quality comes from the lens more so than the camera body.
Please Help!

[keepright]

No, you won't see a difference in your photos based on the brand that you choose. There really are no "bad" cameras on the market, and within the same price bracket all brands perform similarly.

As far as brands go, Olympus is no more of an "off brand" than Pentax (Hoya) or Minolta (Sony); compared to Nikon or Canon all three have much lower market penetration, lower retail and rental availability of lenses and accessories, and significant advantages over the two main brands that outweigh those limitations for many of us.

[sheppardmando]

Thanks, from how I understand you Olympus, Pentax or Sony are the best value and have advantages over Nikon or Canon when it come to lenses and accessories?

[keepright]

(In the interest of full disclosure: I use 4/3 cameras, have a significant investment in their lenses, and the only time I've tried Canon or Nikon cameras I've bought something else.)

"Value" is a funny word. I'm not sure I believe in it: it's all about making compromises, and each system has its own to choose from.

The E-410 is one of the cheapest DSLRs at B&H right now, and it's a great camera. With the two-lens kit you'll have a pair of tiny lenses that are far better than their "kit" status would suggest, covering from 28-300mm (35mm film equivalents) with the only real compromise being that they're a little slow at a f/3.5-5.6. But so what -- most kit lenses have the same aperture range. You'll be quite happy with them. But if you need some low-light indoor photos, someone may suggest picking up an f/1.4 "nifty fifty" lens, which you can get for less than $200 for most brands. Except Olympus. There are other options -- the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a better lens on 4/3 than it is on other formats -- but they're more expensive, and are much less likely to be found used in a pawn shop than the legacy lenses left over from everyone else's film days.

Obviously, I don't consider the lack of a cheap fast normal prime lens to be a reason to avoid Olympus cameras, but other people disagree. There are certainly many advantages specific to the brand, but this isn't the place to go into them: a thread in the 4/3 camera forum would be more appropriate.

It's all about compromises.

Speaking with broad generalizations, going with a "minor" brand will give you technological innovations that don't exist (yet?) in Canon or Nikon cameras. Pentax, Sony, and Olympus (except for the E-410) have in-body image stabilization. Olympus introduced Live View, and still has the best anti-dust system. Sigma has a really neat sensor design that's literally in a class by itself.

Nikon and Canon offer the benefit of ubiquity and frequent product releases.

Deciding what camera to buy based on the price of the initial body isn't a great long-term decision. Buy the one you love in the system that will suit your needs, and if it means that you need to wait a bit, be patient. After all, camera bodies come and go, but lenses are (nearly) forever.

[sheppardmando]

You have been the greatest help! Thanks so much! I checked out your site and I I am impressed. I have a lot of questions that will be answered over time as I get into this new hobbie, but your photos, to me, are an excellent learning tool. I am a jack of all trades and I have mastered some, as a side job I build hand made mandolins and other musical instruments. (Sheppard Mandolins) I hope to get good enough at photography to make a few dollars with it too! I enjoy photography and aways have even if it never makes money.
Thanks again!

[John Hermanson]

To refer to Olympus as "offbrand" is laughable. Olympus has always been an innovator, and you would not be disappointed by a 510 or E-3. Olympus invented the compact slr body (OM system) the clamshell compact 35 (XA series) and many other photographic wonders. John, Camtech Photo Services (Olympus OM Service since 1977).

[00silvergt]

It will be hard pressed for anyone to tell which camera shot which if the EXIF data is not there. I echo the Olympus note. I've talked to experts that will swear by their lenses. Canon and Nikon are bigger companies, thereby they get more exposure. It is no reflection of quality. It is a matter of retail. Soon, I predict with Sony being fairly new to the market and considering its size and reach, Sony may be one of the "Big 3"...but again that's marketing and retail, not about quality.