The budget digital SLR (D-SLR) market – cameras on which the lens can be swapped to best suit the chosen subject – is where all the sales activity is at the moment, so it’s no surprise to find Olympus wanting a slice with its 10-megapixel E-400.

The main talking point here is that, in utilising a digital only system (called Four Thirds), enabling physically smaller bodies and lenses than film SLRs, the company is laying claim to the Olympus E-400 as the world’s tiniest.

Lacking a rounded grip, in truth its dimensions are just a fraction slimmer than Nikon’s cheaper yet lower-resolution D40 D-SLR.

One of the issues with a camera on which the lens can be removed and exchanged is that dust can get inside, so for the first time Olympus has introduced a system that vibrates its chip free of undesirables. The E-400 also boasts improved handling of image noise (those grain-like flecks that can appear in darker areas of a digital image), low power consumption (via its rechargeable lithium ion battery) plus two new lenses, available in a bundle deal.

It ticks the right boxes on paper, and as this camera is aimed at those upgrading from compacts, there’s inevitably a degree of hand holding in the form of 32 scene modes, accessed via a mode dial. Our review sample also came with an instructional DVD, which is a nice touch.

For the enthusiast there’s the ability to capture shots in both regular jpeg and better quality (but more memory hungry) RAW format, at a very respectable speed of up to three frames per second.

Images, reviewed via the 2.5in screen on the back, are saved to either removable xD-Picture Card – a format unique to Olympus and Fuji cameras – or the more common Compactflash, but neither option is included in the box.

Having taken a couple of seconds to power up, in single-shot mode the camera is reasonably fast and responsive, with a satisfyingly mechanical shutter sound.

Handling wise, there’s the minor irritation of the slots for the camera strap on the front dangling in the way of your fingers when they’d have been better situated at the sides.

More positively, the E-400’s images are commendably sharp even if they do reveal increasing levels of noise from ISO200 upwards. Colours are a tad cool when the camera is left on its ‘natural’ setting, meaning that the alternative ‘vivid’ option provides, for us, the closest to reality.

The E-400 is a well-constructed digital SLR offers alternative to the market-dominating Nikon D40/D50 and Canon EOS 400D. Viewed in isolation it’s worthy of praise, but considered against its nearest rivals a 10-megapixel resolution is not enough to make the E-400 stand out – though recent price reductions will aid its chances.

Also Consider
Nikon D40
Baby digital SLR for beginners delivers a grown-up performance

Canon EOS 400D
An excellent entry-level digital SLR

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