Hey, I'm looking to get a decent, but not over the top, dslr for rock climbing/outdoors stuff and I was told to check out this model. http://www.olympusamerica.com/...uct.asp?product=1372 It seems to be pretty nice especially the small size for carrying it through the woods on the treks to the boulders & such. If you have any other suggestions, let me know. Like I said I'm not looking for something too crazy like a Mark3 or a D3, but something that I can put some miles on & get some quality pics.

I think it's funny...

I get the (cyber) crap beat out of me for passing along info on OTHER good camera companies, but if you promote Canon or Nikon no one says a thing.

Not that I'm picking on the poster, but did the OP ask about Canon?

6.5FPS is incredible but what does it mean? I took 50% of all my photos using a manual wind film camera. When I'm in the photo pit at a sports event and I let the motor run at 5fps, I get comments like, "good thing it's not film." Most people don't need 5,6,7,9fps in most situations. Actually, most of your sports illustrated cover shots are taken at 1-2fps on strobes!!! FPS is the most irrelevant thing in photography, and is largely a spec filler!

For the price of the 50D the OP could get an E3 (which has a 5FPS burst)...take a look at the specs on that monster, and then wonder if Canon isn't hosing you! Oh, and look at the AF speed test of the E3 vs. the 50D...(i note this because it's still often erroneously said that "Canon has the fastest AF")

There are quite a few good camera brands out there. Most people don't really ever research before buying they see a few adds and buy. Marketing is a powerful tool!

My sister in law recently got a Rebel XS. Perfectly adequate camera for her needs in stepping up from a P&S to shoot her son mostly. However, she bought the camera based solely on adsand some idiot in Circuit City who most likely didn't know a thing about cameras. And when I asked her why she thought that was the right camera for her, "well everyone says Canon is the leader in digital imaging."

Good answer, and if it was true, so what? What does that do for YOU personally?

She wanted a camera that worked more like a digital compact, and truthfully, the Oly E-520 was actually the best camera for her since the Live View works like a digital point and shoot, unlike Canon, Sony, Pentax, and Nikon. The Olympus also had built in SR and a dust reduction system that really works. But she was a lemming and didn't think before buying.

Safety in #'s I suppose!

Nah, you know I'm not one to shy away from a good debate.

There was a gap in lens choice in both systems for a few years, there was even a supply issue for a little while until inventories stabilized since both Pentax and Olympus essentially (or did) build ground up digital systems. In the end, the headaches were worth it, because both systems now have essentially a ground up lens lineup.

Of course as I noted, with Olympus you can mount a Nikkor 200mm f/2 if you so desire. Or a Minolta 300mm 2.8. This is a huge advantage if AF isn't required.

I'm not going to list all the lenses, but from 10mm to 300mm Pentax has high quality (not a consumer grade lens). From 16-200mm Pentax has weather sealed lenses with f/2.8 apertures (plus a sealed 300mm f/4). I'm just not seeing any big holes. Olympus, has possibly a better lineup of fast glass including the worlds fastest 28-80 equiv lens!!

Once you get into 200mm f/1.8s, 300mm 2.8s and 600mm f/4s (which Pentax does still produce special order and also has the best close focus of any major brand) you are spending SO MUCH MONEY, that buying an alternate body is inconsequential. I mean a $1500 body on top of $15,000 in glass is not exactly going to break the bank.

Where I'm losing you is the idea that everyone is going to eventually buy a 200mm f/1.8 (a $5000 lens) or a 300mm 2.8 (a $3,500 lens), or a 600mm f/4 which is someplace between $7-12K . I have a Nikon system and have plans for a 300 2.8 but the reality is this is a very specific niche purchase that is solely for high end sports shooting. I don't expect to use this lens off the field very often. Most people have no need, or desire to carry a 200 1.8 or a 300 2.8, or 600 f/4. You do realize a 600mm f/4 weighs 15lbs? You can't carry that around the crag, not for fun anyway.

The rationale of buying a camera for a lens you might never buy, is about as good as buying a boat trailer for the boat you might never have. Just doesn't make sense. Unfortunately, MOST times advice is given on this rationale.


Seriously Eman, you make money off your photography, what lenses do you own and use regularly? I'm betting you become my proof that a lot of the "lens choice" thing is misinformation. You probably use a wide angle zoom, a normal zoom, and a tele zoom, plus have a fast prime or two scattered in there. I'm willing to bet your could build your entire system with either Oly or Pentax.

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Anyway, I've never said any one brand is superior to another. If I had the cash I'd honestly shoot everyone of them. What I have said, is at least look around, beyond the marketing and misinformation to get a camera that suits YOUR foreseeable needs, rather than some potential need years down the road, that may or may not ever become a reality!

edit to note: my sister in law is impulsive. She buys then thinks about the purchase. The Rebel was literally not on any list. She just saw it on sale (Black Friday) and bought it because she wanted better photos of her son. I got consulted about 2 days later when she realized 1) it didn't work like a point and shoot 2) it might not have been what she wanted. 2 hours of explaining how an SLR works, how the IQ is better because of the larger sensor, how the optical viewfinder is sort of the point of an SLR, etc. Believe me it's easier convincing you guys that Canon neither invented the camera nor always offers the best product then explaining camera design and function to her! I think she kept the Rebel, and if not I don't care!!!! Either way I'll find out in two weeks when we are down there for New Years, I just pray she figured it out by then!

In reply to:


Of course as I noted, with Olympus you can mount a Nikkor 200mm f/2 if you so desire. Or a Minolta 300mm 2.8. This is a huge advantage if AF isn't required.

I'm not going to list all the lenses, but from 10mm to 300mm Pentax has high quality (not a consumer grade lens). From 16-200mm Pentax has weather sealed lenses with f/2.8 apertures (plus a sealed 300mm f/4). I'm just not seeing any big holes. Olympus, has possibly a better lineup of fast glass including the worlds fastest 28-80 equiv lens!!

I just upgraded my camera to a D90 which has a full-sensor, so I am waiting to see if the 50mm will get more use.

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Your blog???