I'm thinking about getting a DSLR. Because I want the ability to fit a big lens, if required. I love my Fuji bridge camera, but it is frustrating when you cannot get close enough to a subject to get a decent shot.

I don't have oodles of cash, and I've seen a used Olympus E420 for sale locally for about £200. It looks like it's in very good condition.

I know practically nothing about DSLRs, so I have a few questions.

Has anyone got any experience of this or similar models?

Is it worth it?

And finally, probably a contender for noob question of the day, do different make DSLRs all have proprietary lens fittings, or is there a standard mount? Must you buy a Canon Lens for a Canon body etc..

Thanks all.

You must have a Canon-fit lens for a Canon camera. Same with Nikon.
You can buy adapter rings which allow a Canon-fit lenses to be used on a Nikon camera (and vice versa) but I've no idea how much they go for these days.
Sigma, Tamrom and others all make lenses that would be compatible with various makes of camera.
I can't help with the specifics of the camera as I've never used one.

Mark

I too know little of this model and have never used one but FWIW I saw this on ebay, which may be of use to you as a comparison: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OLYMPUS-EVOLT-E420-E-420-SLR-DIGITAL-CAMERA-3-LENS-KIT-/170492915349?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item27b22b6e95

Likewise, this independent review of the model: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0803/08030501olympuse420.asp

Hope this helps

Thanks, I'll have a read.

Might be worth having a quick read about the 4/3 ("four thirds") system overall as well:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Thirds_system

4/3 lenses have a standard bayonet fitting so are interchangeable between different manufacturers - including the independents like Sigma etc...

HTH, Pete

Yes, it did help. I now understand a little more, thanks.

After a bit more review reading, I have bought the Olympus E420 - it seems to be a good all-rounder for newbies.

I got him down to £170 for the camera with a 14-42mm lens with lens hood, charger, leads, strap, software/manual and two 4GB CF cards. No case though, I gather he had a rather nice one but is keeping it for his new camera.

I have much playing and reading to do!

One of the benefits of 4/3 is the effective doubling of the lens due to the crop.

That's only a 'benefit' if you WANT longer focal lengths. It also means wide angle lenses aren't as wide.
http://nickminers.com/ffs

Too true. The OP said he wanted a 'big' lens to get closer though. Thought it might be relevant.

Makes sense in that context, though I didn't read 'big' as meaning long; more, well, bulky. :-D

And who can deny me the opportunity of another plug?

Me.

Not me.

Mark

PS - I bet that came as a surprise.

I did mean big, as in zoom, as Veato suggested.

Your link was worth a read though, thanks. I have read elsewhere that anything above iso 400 is too noisey on a four thirds camera. Although, coming from a bridge camera, I doubt I'll see any downside.

4/3 is 'noisier' than APS sensor equipped units from Canon et al, but more recent models have greatly improved this. The truepic 3 sensor, the 12mp one used in some of the bodies, including the PEN's is much better than the previously used Kodak and the 10mp one used in the E-420, E-520 etc.

However....I took this leaning out of the window, with an E-420, kit lens (40-150mm) at about 105mm at ISO 1600.



The main thing you want to worry about with the 420 is the lack of IS. Better models have it built into the body (4/3 ones I mean). A good tripod is worth buying, particularly when using anything over a 50mm or so. I would not entertain the Lumix/Leica lenses that have IS built in, for a 420, just because you want some Image Stabilisation.

I just picked up a zuiko 40-150mm lens yesterday. I just need a cheap tripod now, and I'll be a happy camper.

My E420 offers DIS (digital image stabilisation?), is this a poor man's IS?