Olympus E300 or Nikon D70

taijilee · 17th October 2005

Hi,
I am thinking of buying either a Olympus E300 or Nikon D70...need some advice on which
is a better option.
My requirements
- Weight...can't be too heavy lah...m only a small frame girl
- I have been using Olympus camera all my life (from Flim to Digital last one is a C7070)

What u think ??

Any advice

regards,
Lin

koolz · 17th October 2005

Wait for the E-500.

Nik-enduser · 17th October 2005

The Oly E300 kit is a very worthwhile kit to get, with 2 lenses, 1x1GB CF (may have another 1GB CF if purchase from bargaincity.com.sg). If you do not have any pre-existing system, this would be a good DSLR kit to get. Even if you had used Oly film SLR previously, the accessories cannot be used with the DSLR.

And If you dive, then there is supposed to be Oly in-house underwater housing.

Hitman · 17th October 2005

I agree with koolz. If you're not in a hurry, wait for the E-500 (currently the lightest DSLR in the market).

As you'll be coming from the C-7070, you'll have the options to 're-use' many accessories like the XD-card, BLM-1 battery, flash etc....

chancy · 17th October 2005

Hello Taijilee,

Having been on long life shelf product, the E300's advantage lies in the greater viewfinder magnification, ability to use the battery grip & most important, the dual lens kit which is unlikely to find its way in the E500 during initial launch

The E500 is a better camera with what comes with the body, ie better terms of overall improvment in performance, AF, AutoWB, wake-up-from-sleep times, 2.5" 215k High Rez LCD display. More important, the body is lighter than the E300 as weight is an important concern. Olympus' high optical quality entry level kit lenses will help you in the weight department as well.

Your existing investment is 7070 accessories can be a plus or minus depending on which brand you'll eventually get.

But the E500 should be a worthwhile wait if you can & have some funds to tap into other lenses over time.

Good Luck with your choice.

Cheers,

raycsk · 17th October 2005

Not to mention the ease of understanding the menu settings and layout.

marlboro_guy · 18th October 2005

Originally Posted by Nik-enduser

The Oly E300 kit is a very worthwhile kit to get, with 2 lenses, 1x1GB CF (may have another 1GB CF if purchase from bargaincity.com.sg). If you do not have any pre-existing system, this would be a good DSLR kit to get. Even if you had used Oly film SLR previously, the accessories cannot be used with the DSLR.

And If you dive, then there is supposed to be Oly in-house underwater housing.

Hi Nik...not sure where u copy ur quotes from...think even if u do, better do it properly...

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Mahatmar Gandhi " it shud be Mahatma Gandhi....Thnx

----sorry guys-----pls cont'

hammer_400 · 18th October 2005

Originally Posted by taijilee

Hi,
I am thinking of buying either a Olympus E300 or Nikon D70...need some advice on which
is a better option.
My requirements
- Weight...can't be too heavy lah...m only a small frame girl
- I have been using Olympus camera all my life (from Flim to Digital last one is a C7070)

What u think ?? Any advice

regards,
Lin

hehe.. you're asking in the Oly forum? of cos get e300!!!

or e500?

body size wise, d70>e300>>>e500
lens size wise, Equiv Zuiko <<< Equiv Nikkor

raycsk · 18th October 2005

Taijilee,

Well cannot deny that you'll probably get a somewhat biased reply here.

Perhaps you could list down your other requirements such as type of photography, lens and accessories you plan to get later. We might be able to suggest a suitable fit.

For instance, if you like taking multi-frame shots then D70s is the better performer.

I suggest you draw up a list of your needs and wants and go talk to a reputable camera shop. IMHO John 3:16 at Funan is pretty good at helping you find that suitable camera for your needs.

Thanks

Ray

dunwackme · 18th October 2005

go for olympus ! go for 8 mega !

nightpiper · 18th October 2005

Originally Posted by taijilee

Hi,
I am thinking of buying either a Olympus E300 or Nikon D70...need some advice on which
is a better option.
My requirements
- Weight...can't be too heavy lah...m only a small frame girl
- I have been using Olympus camera all my life (from Flim to Digital last one is a C7070)

What u think ?? Any advice

regards,
Lin

if u r still keen to use those leftover OM lenses from film days, u can do so on the E sys via an adaptor. other accessories wud probably not fit. as chancy mentioned, if u can wait, the E500 is defintely worth a serious look. akan datang....

chancy · 18th October 2005

Hello Taijilee,

In agreement with Raycsk, posting a comparision in a brand specific forum will give you experiences from those who've hands-on or had specific readings of that maker. Owners responses with actual hands on from various makers are the exception. So, it's a good idea to pose the same question to the Nikon forum. Or perhaps spend sometime on dpreview's Oly forum which seems to have a bigger segment of cross-brand owners than here for a less-partial view.

Prior response was to steer you towards making an E500 vs D70 comparison instead of an E300 vs D70 just to get your on the right starting foot :-)

Cheers,

wind30 · 18th October 2005

I am not an avid photographer but I owned a D70 and minolta 7D before buying the olympus E1. (I like electronic toys)

One thing, do you intend to participate in the buy and sell forum? ie do you want to buy second hand stuff. If the answer is yes, then sure choose D70 over E300/500.

If not, then it is up to personal preference. I think there is not so much difference over the various makes. But the dust issue is quite obvious for D70. Actually, if you don't want to buy 2nd hand stuff, I think you should be choosing between the E500 and minolta 5D. Both got something special which are really quite useful.

E500 got the dust buster the 5D has the anti shake WHICH is VERY useful (olympus is trying to incorporate this into their future bodies).

taijilee · 18th October 2005

WoWww !!!! thanks for the feedbacks .....great way to start before parting with my $$$$...personally I have posted it in the Oly forum for an obvious reason...I am also a follower of Olympus camera...starting @ age of 7 when I had my first olympus camera.

Yes.,,as all said I will proceed to do up my wish list features and then a fuctionality match.
To make it more interesting I will also post the same question in the Nikon forum...and lets hear what the nikonian have to say verses the Olympian !!!

A conclusion from this thread is E500 is probably the way to go for Olympus !!

Thanks...& have a great day...

regards,
Lin

17th October 2005	#1
taijilee New Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hougang Posts: 10	Olympus E300 or Nikon D70 Hi, I am thinking of buying either a Olympus E300 or Nikon D70...need some advice on which is a better option. My requirements - Weight...can't be too heavy lah...m only a small frame girl - I have been using Olympus camera all my life (from Flim to Digital last one is a C7070) What u think ?? Any advice regards, Lin

17th October 2005	#2
koolz Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: East Posts: 418	Re: Olympus E300 or Nikon D70 Wait for the E-500.

17th October 2005	#3
Nik-enduser Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CCK Posts: 333	Re: Olympus E300 or Nikon D70 The Oly E300 kit is a very worthwhile kit to get, with 2 lenses, 1x1GB CF (may have another 1GB CF if purchase from bargaincity.com.sg). If you do not have any pre-existing system, this would be a good DSLR kit to get. Even if you had used Oly film SLR previously, the accessories cannot be used with the DSLR. And If you dive, then there is supposed to be Oly in-house underwater housing.

17th October 2005	#4
Hitman Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 22° 11' N, 113° 33' E Posts: 793	Re: Olympus E300 or Nikon D70 I agree with koolz. If you're not in a hurry, wait for the E-500 (currently the lightest DSLR in the market). As you'll be coming from the C-7070, you'll have the options to 're-use' many accessories like the XD-card, BLM-1 battery, flash etc.... __________________ Pictures always should have a special story behind it or a special meaning to the photographer.

17th October 2005	#5
chancy Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Northern Singapore Posts: 556	Re: Olympus E300 or Nikon D70 Hello Taijilee, Having been on long life shelf product, the E300's advantage lies in the greater viewfinder magnification, ability to use the battery grip & most important, the dual lens kit which is unlikely to find its way in the E500 during initial launch The E500 is a better camera with what comes with the body, ie better terms of overall improvment in performance, AF, AutoWB, wake-up-from-sleep times, 2.5" 215k High Rez LCD display. More important, the body is lighter than the E300 as weight is an important concern. Olympus' high optical quality entry level kit lenses will help you in the weight department as well. Your existing investment is 7070 accessories can be a plus or minus depending on which brand you'll eventually get. But the E500 should be a worthwhile wait if you can & have some funds to tap into other lenses over time. Good Luck with your choice. Cheers, Last edited by chancy; 17th October 2005 at 05:48 PM.

17th October 2005	#6
raycsk Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: NE Singapore Posts: 405	Re: Olympus E300 or Nikon D70 Not to mention the ease of understanding the menu settings and layout.

18th October 2005	#9
raycsk Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: NE Singapore Posts: 405	Re: Olympus E300 or Nikon D70 Taijilee, Well cannot deny that you'll probably get a somewhat biased reply here. Perhaps you could list down your other requirements such as type of photography, lens and accessories you plan to get later. We might be able to suggest a suitable fit. For instance, if you like taking multi-frame shots then D70s is the better performer. I suggest you draw up a list of your needs and wants and go talk to a reputable camera shop. IMHO John 3:16 at Funan is pretty good at helping you find that suitable camera for your needs. Thanks Ray

18th October 2005	#10
dunwackme New Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 40	Re: Olympus E300 or Nikon D70 go for olympus ! go for 8 mega !

18th October 2005	#13
wind30 Deregistered Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2,929	Re: Olympus E300 or Nikon D70 I am not an avid photographer but I owned a D70 and minolta 7D before buying the olympus E1. (I like electronic toys) One thing, do you intend to participate in the buy and sell forum? ie do you want to buy second hand stuff. If the answer is yes, then sure choose D70 over E300/500. If not, then it is up to personal preference. I think there is not so much difference over the various makes. But the dust issue is quite obvious for D70. Actually, if you don't want to buy 2nd hand stuff, I think you should be choosing between the E500 and minolta 5D. Both got something special which are really quite useful. E500 got the dust buster the 5D has the anti shake WHICH is VERY useful (olympus is trying to incorporate this into their future bodies).

18th October 2005	#14
taijilee New Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hougang Posts: 10	Re: Olympus E300 or Nikon D70 WoWww !!!! thanks for the feedbacks .....great way to start before parting with my $$$$...personally I have posted it in the Oly forum for an obvious reason...I am also a follower of Olympus camera...starting @ age of 7 when I had my first olympus camera. Yes.,,as all said I will proceed to do up my wish list features and then a fuctionality match. To make it more interesting I will also post the same question in the Nikon forum...and lets hear what the nikonian have to say verses the Olympian !!! A conclusion from this thread is E500 is probably the way to go for Olympus !! Thanks...& have a great day... regards, Lin