Comparing E510 to 40D

[Oly5050]

OK, I know the 40D thread was closed here but this has a different slant. I want to know what are the differences between the 2 cameras in terms of features and specifications, aside from the obvious things like brand.

Can you all contribute by quoting and adding to th list? Let me start.
Format is : Feature (camera model which has it)

1. In camera image stabilization (E510)
2. Magnesium body (40D)

[olymac]

Biggest difference is in the 4/3 lens. It is designed and made ground up for the E-System, the ONLY digital SLR system out there.

All bodies come and go .... whatever 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, E400, E500, E510 etc ...

BTW Canon do make GREAT lens, only prob is that it is design with their top-of-the-line in mind, i.e. meant for full frame sensors. Have u check out the price of the Eos 1 recently?

[schon]

40D/D300 both can focus in live view without having the mirror to go flippity flappy.

both have interfaces which look more streamlined than that in olympus live view cameras.

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by schon 40D/D300 both can focus in live view without having the mirror to go flippity flappy. both have interfaces which look more streamlined than that in olympus live view cameras.

This is the description of 40D's LiveView from dpreview's preview report:

"The EOS 40D provides a Live View mode which gives you a true 'Through The Lens' view, once enabled you activate Live View by pressing the SET button. Optional Auto Focus can be activated using the AF-ON button, this drops the mirror momentarily to achieve focus and then lifts it again to restore the Live View."

Doesn't this sound like the mirror still have to go "flippity flappy"?

[schon]

Originally Posted by tomcat This is the description of 40D's LiveView from dpreview's preview report: "The EOS 40D provides a Live View mode which gives you a true 'Through The Lens' view, once enabled you activate Live View by pressing the SET button. Optional Auto Focus can be activated using the AF-ON button, this drops the mirror momentarily to achieve focus and then lifts it again to restore the Live View." Doesn't this sound like the mirror still have to go "flippity flappy"?

oops sorry about the mix-up then. D300? no flippity flappy in there...

[amvrobin]

Originally Posted by schon 40D/D300 both can focus in live view without having the mirror to go flippity flappy. both have interfaces which look more streamlined than that in olympus live view cameras.

you gotta take the mirror out of the way unless u hav another sensor as in case with e330. 40d lv seems to be like mf only with optional af (not suitable for moving objects).

d300 lv looks to be better than 40d but will not beat Oly lv. wait for e-p1/e-3 if u r an lv fan.

[amvrobin]

Originally Posted by schon oops sorry about the mix-up then. D300? no flippity flappy in there...

d300 offers that you can choose one of:

1. Handheld LV with phase detect af (mirror up/down - viewing mirror still gotta be out of the way to main sensor as like e410/e510 or 40d optional af)

2. Tripod LV contrast detect af (as like p&s - mirror would be up & locked)

quote from dpreview forum

"The Live View capability of the D3 and D300 ...A feature that's uniquely theirs is the cameras' ability to autofocus with the mirror raised,... This is called "Tripod mode" in the menu system,.... Nikon chose the name for a reason though, and it means what it says - you can't have moving subjects, or hand-hold the camera. Readout is apparently too slow for the autofocus system to deal with motion of either kind."

Tripod lv is to be used either for landscape shots or still-life when u have time to focus the objects. u wd be better off to use mf with magnification in such scenarios anyway.

[drakon09]

Most importantly, the 40D is a brick; not as brick as a 1D-series cam, but a brick nonetheless.

[Oly5050]

Oi!!! Can we keep it to a list?


1. In camera image stabilization (E510)
2. Magnesium body (40D)
3. Heavier body (40D)


So it seems that the 40D LV is nearly the same functionality as the 510.

So is a brick a good thing or not?

[olymac]

Originally Posted by Oly5050 Oi!!! Can we keep it to a list? 1. In camera image stabilization (E510) 2. Magnesium body (40D) 3. Heavier body (40D) So it seems that the 40D LV is nearly the same functionality as the 510. So is a brick a good thing or not?

How do those features make one a better photographer?

Its the GLASS, GLASS, GLASS ..... and the photographer's eyes and hands, of course.

List ...? Add on that the E510 uses digital 4/3 lenses designed for the E-System ....

[ykkok]

No one has tested the D300 Liveview yet, especially, the additional AF mode in Liveview without the need to flip the mirror aka contrast detection, is quoted needing "Tripod".

So, looks like it's quite technically challenging to achieve good PnS like AF on DSLR yet.

[wind30]

The main difference is the lens.

For me, I think oly has better lens. the 11-22mm and 50-200mm fantastic, f2.8 and LIGHT. Or like me I have the 40-150 for travelling, f3.5-4.5, cost me $200 2nd hand and lighter too.

For canon, I think there best lens to me is the 24-105 f4 when used on a full frame. My ideal system is actually one single body with one lens, canon 5DmkII + 24-105 f4 IS. The next 5D will have live view, better AF, improved dust buster.

For E510 and 40D bodies,

adv E510
1) comes with proven dust buster
2) stabilization. Helps to overcome poor ISO performance.

adv 40D
1) BETTER ISO performance.
2) Better dynamic range (not too sure but I seriously doubt it will be as poor as the E510)
3) better AF. More points.
4) 3" LCD

[wind30]

Originally Posted by ykkok No one has tested the D300 Liveview yet, especially, the additional AF mode in Liveview without the need to flip the mirror aka contrast detection, is quoted needing "Tripod". So, looks like it's quite technically challenging to achieve good PnS like AF on DSLR yet.

The E330 has DONE it.

SERIOUSLY, I DON'T know why olympus gave up on the E330 live view.... I have both the E330 and E510 and TRUST me, losing a little bit of light in the viewfinder is WORTH it in exchange for live view mode A, where the AF, exposure works all the time.

Everytime I use he E510, I still don't understand why olympus crippled it live view. I wonder if the new E3 has live view mode A.....

[victorianmedia]

Personally, I do not like LiveView.

adding to the list,
adv E510
1) comes with proven dust buster
2) stabilization. Helps to overcome poor ISO performance.

adv 40D
1) BETTER ISO performance.
2) Better dynamic range (not too sure but I seriously doubt it will be as poor as the E510)
3) better AF. More points.
4) 3" LCD
5) Faster fps.

[drakon09]

Originally Posted by wind30 The E330 has DONE it. SERIOUSLY, I DON'T know why olympus gave up on the E330 live view.... I have both the E330 and E510 and TRUST me, losing a little bit of light in the viewfinder is WORTH it in exchange for live view mode A, where the AF, exposure works all the time.

Well, you very much hit the nail on the head there!

Anyway Oly may not have given up on the E3xx concept - they next body just *might* be a weatherproofed version.

Here's to hoping!

[drakon09]

Originally Posted by Oly5050 So is a brick a good thing or not?

Nope.

As one gets older one almost always prefer lighter gear.

[zuikoku]

E-510 :
1. In-body Image Stabilization
2. Dust Removal is the best on the digital imaging industry
3. Colour Reproduction (Oly Colour are fantastic)
4. Sharper picture (due to Zuiko Digital Lenses)

40D :
1. 9 Cross AF Point (nice for off-centered composition)
2. 6.5 fps burst shot
3. Flash system (faster recycling, wireless E-TTL)
4. 3.0" LCD

[Oly5050]

E-510 :
1. In-body Image Stabilization
2. Dust Removal is the best on the digital imaging industry
3. Colour Reproduction (Oly Colour are fantastic)
4. Sharper picture (due to Zuiko Digital Lenses)

40D :
1. 9 Cross AF Point (nice for off-centered composition)
2. 6.5 fps burst shot
3. Flash system (faster recycling, wireless E-TTL)
4. 3.0" LCD
5. Magnesium body

[tao]

1pcs 40D body = 1pcs E-510 + 1pcs E410 + 1pcs E-330 bodies

You can do that if buying from the States.

[schon]

Originally Posted by wind30 The E330 has DONE it. SERIOUSLY, I DON'T know why olympus gave up on the E330 live view.... I have both the E330 and E510 and TRUST me, losing a little bit of light in the viewfinder is WORTH it in exchange for live view mode A, where the AF, exposure works all the time. Everytime I use he E510, I still don't understand why olympus crippled it live view. I wonder if the new E3 has live view mode A.....

wind30, i think ykkok was referring to having Mode A-style live view without having an additional sensor.