Tough camera choice question

Right now, I'm slogging along with a prosumer camera.
My buying choices for a DSLR have come down to a handful
but it's a tough decision. I've been an Olympus fan ever
since I traded in a Minolta MD-11 for an Olympus OM-1.
So, I wanted to stick with that brand, despite the incompatibility
of lens sets between the older film and new digitals from them.
However;
The E-Volt 300 seems to have some drawbacks in terms of noise
suppression. But, it does have the vibration mechanism for dust
control. After having used many CCD cameras (scientific) with
windowed CCDs and knowing the dust issues they have, this would seem
to be a major plus. I would really rather not have to rely on
software image manipulation to get rid of "motes."
The E1 IMO, is lacking simply because it only
has 5 megapixels versus cameras in it's price range with 6-8.

Lastly; My best choice would seem to be to deviate from Olympus
or wait for them to release a new version of the E1 with a larger
pixel count. I assume it won't be far off.

My "deviation" camera would be either a Canon 20D or the new 350
and I'm leaning toward the 350 for cost reasons.
-Rich

 

350D is a good choice. I had used 300D for a year; then 20D for months.
There is no need to do any software dust clean up for normal
photographs. I only cleaned the 300D once, using a blower.

 

I had an E-20 for several years and was impressed with its solid build, so I
bought an E-300 in late December. I've used for several thousand shots in
very adverse winter conditions and been very pleased with the results. I
also got the F2, 50mm macro and the 50-200mm telephoto. Both very good
lenses. A camera definitely worth the money, although a larger buffer would
be nice.

 

<snip>

The problem with the Olympus offerings is that they use the 4:3 standard.
This is an extremely small sensor, and there are already noise issues at the
current resolutions. If they bump the resolution to 8 megapixels, the noise
will be even worse.

The EOS-350D is a much better choice.

See http://digitalslrinfo.com

 

Here we go again with more of your agenda-driven "I know better - see my
website" crap.
Rent or borrow the equipment in which you are interested -- take some of
the typical images you normally would -- compare the results -- buy what
does the best job for you.
End of story.
Bob

 

This is quite impractical. For amateur equipment, renting is almost never
available. And while a very good friend might lend someone a Canon or Nikon
camera, it'd be very unlikely for the potential buyer actually knew anyone
with one of the less common models, such as those from Olympus, Pentax, or
Konica-Minolta--there just aren't a lot of them out there.

What you do when deciding on a major purchase like this, is to look at
multiple reviews of each product you are considering, and get personal
recommendations (i.e. on Usenet). I created my web site because there was no
central repository of unbiased information that looked at the pros and cons
of each model, in a concise format.

Why is it whenever someone loses a debate, they use "End of Story?" As if
this actually means anything.

 

There still isn't an unbiased one, yours being more biased than most.

 

It's certainly not cost-effective, or convenient, even if you can find a
rental outlet.

Heh. A *Very* good friend let me use his 20D for a few minutes. That
was long enough for me to learn that I had to have this camera The
bastard. (We're still friends.)

 

We'll be sure to steer people away from it lest they get the wrong ideas.

 

Who is we? I understand why you dislike my site, but please speak for
yourself.

 

Circle your wagons. All one of them.

 

What a bunch of assholes you are.

 

Why? Becasue the majority of us believe Steven is biased against
everything w/o a Canon label attached to it?

Or are there more general reasons?

Cheers,
Alan

 

Again, please don't invent a majority, just because you are upset with my
site. You sound like Jerry Falwell.

 

Res ipsa loquitur.

 

Means about as much as your misguided opinions do Steven, you wouldn't even
recognize this is not a debate if it jumped up & attached itself to the
lower part of your anatomy. I, long ago, realized your input to any of my
photographic decisions (never mind anyone else's) would be far less than
useful. I just enjoy pointing it out when you, from time to time, seem to
fall into some sort of hypnotic state wherein you deem to be the source of
all knowledge.
Bob

 

Are you related to Charlie?

 

Steven,

You keep ignoring me, but we've known each other for a long time. I think
you're a Canon shill now. Don't know why, but you show it every single day.

Tom

 

I do not claim to be the source of all knowledge, nor do I find it necessary
to attack people that don't agree with me. Whatever your photographic
decisions turn out to be are of no concern to me.

You may want to consider raising your level of discourse out of gutter, as
it does not reflect well on your position.

 

Who?