A distance de tous les événements très publics du monde de la photo, Olympus vient de lancer relativement discrètement son nouvel appareil photo reflex : Olympus E-450. Cet appareil à base de capteur 4/3 est -pour l’essentiel- une mise à jour rapide d’un appareil qui n’était pas mauvais du tout, le Olympus E-420, en remettant la résolution correcte de 10MP (plus que nécessaire pour la plupart des photographes, jusqu’au tirage en A4) dans une coquille plus à la mode.
Améliorations apportées par l’Olympus E-450:
- Ecran LCD plus lisible et plus lumineux
- Trois Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus and Pin Hole – J’ai peur que cela n’apporte rien à la qualité des images…)
- Rafales plus longues (8 images RAW, au lieu de 6 pour le E-420)
Clairement, ces temps de crise poussent les fabircants à n’apporter que des améliorations mineures à des designs déjà présents sur le marché plutôt que de créer de nouveaux appareils (voir ainsi le Panasonic DMC-GH1 et son frère ainé DMC-G1). Mais améliorer un peu un bon reflex ne peut que donner un bon appareil photo.
Tous les détails techniques de l’Olympus E-450.
Tous les détails techniques de l’Olympus E-420.
UK Press Release document
31 March 2009 – Building on the success of the popular E-420, the new E-450 is packed with features that encourage new comers to DSLR to have fun and explore their creative potential. Three in-camera Art Filters apply stylish effects to any image at the touch of a button. Image composition is simplified via Live View on the bright LCD. Packed with features yet easy to use straight out of the box, this latest addition to the Olympus E-System range is not only one of the smallest and lightest models on the market*, it also boasts all the benefits of the Four Thirds Standard at an affordable price. The E-450 has a full range of Olympus’ innovative E-System technology on board and will be available in stores from May 2009 at a recommended retail price of around £450 for the standard lens kit.
Olympus E-450 digital SLR – main features:
Usability
• Extremely easy operation – use it straight out of the box
Functionality
• Three Art Filters
• Improved Live View with contrast AF, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology & phase difference detection AF system
• Perfect Shot Preview to enable comparison of the results of various settings adjustments before actual shooting
• TruePic III+ image processor
Portability
• One of the world’s smallest and lightest D-SLRs providing the ultimate in portability
E-450 Key features
• 10 Megapixel Live MOS sensor
• High-contrast 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal II LCD with 176° viewing angle
• The original Supersonic Wave Filter for dust protection
• 28 shooting modes (5 Exposure Modes, 5 Creative Modes, 18 Scene Select Modes)
• Built-in flash (GN12, ISO 100) with commander function for wireless off-camera flash synchronisation
• Wireless flash control in up to 3 groups (separate press release available for Olympus FL-50R and FL-36R flash units)
• 3.5fps with up to eight images in RAW buffer
• One-touch white balance
• AE/AF-lock functionality
• ISO 100 to 1600 for wide-ranging sensitivity
• Depth of field preview function
• 49-segment digital ESP
• Bracketing function (Exposure)
• Detailed info screen with histogram
• Based on Four Thirds Standard
• Dual memory slot for CompactFlash and xD-Picture Card
The Olympus E-450 is available in the following configurations:
• Olympus E-450 body only
• Olympus E-450 Lens Kit
(E-450 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens)
• Olympus E-450 Double Zoom Kit
(E-450 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 and ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6 lenses)
* As of 02.2009
** Full contrast AF performance is available with Olympus lenses including the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm 1:4.0-5.6, ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6, ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6, ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6, ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 “pancake” lens and the ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 II.
The E-450 will sit between the E-420 and E-520 in the UK market with all three being available until further notice. This will provide consumers with the widest choice of E-System DSLR’s yet seen – one for every pocket and one for every need.
A creative powerhouse
Developed with amateurs in mind, the easy-to-use Olympus E-450 brings a high performance D-SLR to users with unbridled imaginations. A range of Art Filters allows photographers to stretch the limits of their creativity, without complicated software or a computer. Introduced with the E-30, this function gives pictures a make-over by selecting from one of three Art Filters. Inspired by the kaleidoscopic colours of the pop art movement, the Pop Art effect, for example, infuses photographs with rich shades to give pictures a livelier, dynamic feel. Soft Focus, on the other hand, makes pictures seem ethereal and otherworldly, while Pin Hole gives images an air of secrecy. Framing shots perfectly is also a breeze with the generous 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal II LCD with 176° viewing angle, which allows you to shoot from virtually any perspective and is even brighter than the E-420’s. The Live View functionality with the camera’s contrast AF** capabilities, on the other hand, allows you to comfortably judge exactly what results to expect, even before images are shot. This way, what you see is what you get, no matter what the perspective! Further guaranteeing pictures are optimally exposed, Face Detection Technology automatically detects and focuses on faces while Shadow Adjustment Technology balances out shadowy areas. 28 shooting modes, including automatic, semi-automatic and manual shooting options, ensure complete versatility. Nice pictures at the touch of a button – what more could you ask for?
Trusted and true
Olympus has packed the E-450 with everything an entry-level photographer needs to take high-quality pictures. It is equipped with Olympus’ proprietary dust reduction system, the Supersonic Wave Filter, which protects from the threat of dust – and has become the world’s leading solution against dust on the image sensor. Additionally, a powerful 10 Megapixel Live MOS sensor provides incredible resolution for crisp, detailed shots. This is supported by the incorporation of the TruePic III+ image processor: it guarantees exceptionally true-to-life image reproduction while reducing noise and enhancing processing speed. It is possible to shoot at up to 3.5fps in full Megapixel mode with up to eight images in RAW buffer. Compact and light, the E-450 boasts all the advantages of Four Thirds and Olympus state-of-the-art technology in a handy format everyone can appreciate.
Full range of accessories
The Olympus E-450 is compatible with nearly all E-System accessories, such as 19 lenses with a focal range of 7 – 300mm (equivalent to 14 – 600mm on a 35mm camera) and various flash systems. A perfect companion for this compact model, for example, is the short-barreled and lightweight ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 (equivalent to 50mm on a 35mm camera) Pancake lens. The E-System D-SLR newcomer also ensures perfect light no matter what with up to three Wireless Flash groups familiar from the professional E-3. Available are the FL-50R and FL-36R wireless flashes. And in any situation where a flash is needed, new robust Olympus Flash Brackets, such as the FL-BK04, guarantee good light and maximum flexibility. Two flashes can also be mounted on the practical FL-BKM03 Twin Flash Bracket.
Rookie creative types will find everything they want from a digital SLR in the E-450. One easy-to-use package unites Olympus technology and incredible E-System features such as the Supersonic Wave Filter and Live View with artistic options like Art Filters. Look for the new E-450 in stores as of the end of May 2009 at a retail price of €xxx.