Olympus premieres entry-level E-450 DSLR
updated 09:30 am EDT, Tue March 31, 2009
Olympus E-450 revealed
Camera builder Olympus has announced the E-450, its newest entry-level DSLR. The camera is a replacement for the earlier E-420, and sports a 10-megapixel sensor, combined with a TruePic III+ image processor. Light sensitivity ranges only from ISO 100 to 1600, while shooting speed is limited to 3.5fps, supplemented by a buffer capable of holding just eight RAW images; the camera does however benefit from an improved Live View mode, with contrast and phase difference detection autofocus. The mode has also been given face detection and shadow compensation abilities.
The camera further introduces three "art" filters, labelled Pop Art, Soft Focus and Pin Hole; all settings are previewed on a 2.7-inch LCD before shooting. Other notable features of the camera include a dust-removal motor, support for CF and xD cards, and wireless external flash sync with up to three different groups. The E-450 will ship beginning in May, in the form of three different kits. Aside from a body-only option, a basic kit will include a Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, while the Double Zoom kit will add a second, 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 lens. Prices are so far unpublished.
