wide angle lens

[WJPT]

Hi all.
I'm new here and not a photo pro by any means.

I want to purchase a new DSLR camera for general use but more importantly for photographing interior kitchens. I understand I will need a wide angle lens but do not know enough to determine which one would be best for my specific need.

I was looking at the Cannon Rebel XS and the Olympus E520
Any view on which of these cameras has an available lens for my need would be appreaciated. Pleas be specific regarding the correct lens.

Thanks for the help
BillT

[BlueRob]

I will only refer to the Olympus do to the fact I´m owner of a E-420. I assume that the E520 comes also with a 14-42mm f3.5 lens which is OK for indoors, not the best but for the money is a good lens.
I must say that not only you need a wide angle lens, you need also a "fast" lens (with a low f number) which will be better for indoors. An excellent all around Olympuz-Ziuiko lens is the 12-60mm f2.8. Another lens worth considering is the 14-35mm f2.0

[Photo-John]

You'll be able to get a super-wide lens for either camera. Canon makes an 11-22mm lens and there are some excellent third-party super-wide lens options. I own the Tokina 12-24mm f/4 and have been lusting after the newer, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens. Sigma also makes a 10-24mm lens you can use with the Rebel XS.

The third-party options aren't as good for Olympus. But they make a 7-14mm f/4 and a less expensive 9-18mm f/4-5.6. With the 2x Four Thirds crop factor, that makes those equivalent to 14-28mm and 18-36mm. The Canon crop factor is 1.6x so the Olympus 7-14mm zoom is actually the widest option with those two cameras.

[Photo-John]

I just took a closer look at the Olympus wide-angle lenses and the Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm lens looks like a wonderful lens. It's a rectilinear lens, which means straight lines won't be curved as they usually are from distortion with less expensive lenses. I also think you should take a look at the E-620 instead of the E-520. Yes, it costs more. But if you're going to be shooting a lot of interiors and this is a long-term investment, then the tilt-swivel LCD on the E-620 will be a lifesaver. Your back will thank you. The E-620 has much better image quality, too. Here are reviews for the Olympus E-620 and Olympus 7-14mm lens:

Olympus E-620 User Reviews >>
Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/4 Lens User Reviews >>

BlueRob also mentioned the Olympus Zuiko ED 12-60mm lens. I have a lot of experience with that lens and it's great. It's not even close to as wide as the 7-14mm lens, but it might be the job done for you and it makes a better all-purpose lens.

[WJPT]

John - Rob
Thanks for the replies.
That 7-14 looks great.
Does anyone have any interior pictures taken with it that they could post?
BillT