Olympus E410 or E420?

[Dizo]

Hello, I am relatively new to the DSLR world and have been looking through the cameras available to me at the low end price range. My budget is low so i am not looking for the best thing out there, but rather the best bang for my buck.

I primarily use my camera's for outdoor photography whether it be Climbing, Hiking, Mountaineering, Sailing, Kayaking, Mountain Biking or aerial photo's. I like to take landscape photos as well as sports or action photo's of the sport being done. For all these reasons i would like my camera to be small, light and with acceptable battery life. I have spent a while researching all of this and have found that the Olympus E410 or E420 meet my needs almost totally, definitely for the price. The E410 goes for around 100 CAD dollars less that the E420.

What im asking the readers here is which do you think fits my needs best? The 100 dollars cheaper E410 is nice, but if it has any significant downside to it then the money saved would no be quite worth it.

The specs for these camera's are as follows. (From Futureshop as they have the most complete list)

E420 - http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...44&catid=22553

E410 - http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...11&catid=22553

Thank you, I appreciate your input.

[Anbesol]

The differences are as highlighted in Imaging resource

* Auto Focus in Live View by depressing the shutter release button halfway (Contrast-Detect autofocus)
* New grip on the front of the body for a more secure hold
* Face Detection Technology (Taking advantage of contrast-detect AF)
* Shadow Adjustment Technology for greater detail in the shadows
* Larger 2.7" HyperCrystal II LCD Display - Twice the contrast for better viewing in extreme lighting conditions, broader color gamut displays a greater range of color detail, wider view up to 176 degrees off center
* Perfect Shot Preview - Live exposure effects displayed in a thumbnail view on the LCD for easy selection/adjustment prior to capturing the image
* 10MP Live MOS sensor with improved dynamic range - more detailed images
* Improved Auto WB (white balance) performance with a new algorithm for more accurate color - Similar color reproduction to the Flagship E-3 model
* Increased sequence shooting speed up to 3.5fps
* Wireless flash capability with the FL-36R or FL-56R

I would say the LCD and the better dynamic range are worth the extra $70 on their own. I'd go for the E-420.

[byjamesderuvoDHQ]

Then again, you can take that extra $70 and apply it to a good zoom lens or a faster one than what comes in the kit.

It's a lot easier to look at a DSLR as a system and not just a camera. The body of the camera can come and go as you upgrade, but your lenses can go from body to body. My opinion is that if you want the most bang for your buck, get the E-410 and apply the rest to a lens.

[Anbesol]

$70 isn't going to do a whole lot with a lens. ($100 cad) Normally I'd agree to go for cheaper and put the extra into a lens, but when cheaper is $70, not so much.

[Dizo]

Thanks for the input, Ive been looking around more and more and asking more and more staff about camera`s and I think the Sony A200K will be a much more `bang for your buck` solution for me. Little bit more pricy but it has mechanical Image stabilization and a few other perks that i like.