Olympus E-510 versus Nikon D80 What to Buy?

Question

I am a beginner and want to get serious with SLR cameras. I've done my homework in looking at digital SLRs out there and have narrowed my search down to two cameras namely the Olympus E-510 and Nikon D80. I love the features of the Olympus but then again I heard that Nikon shoots better images. I plan on having this camera for a long time and adding accessories with time (i.e. more lenses..etc). Any ideas....don't be shy, fire away! Thanks.

Answer 1

Since both are DSLR cameras, buying different lenses is best accomplished if you buy the lenses make by the manufacture.

If you have noticed, the D80 has a larger sensor and many more lenses available (new and used).  This will give you not only higher resolution images, but the ability to build your system faster (by buying good used lenses for your camera)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_...

Answer 2

They both shoot great imagines.  You are not going to notice a difference in the image quality if you know how to use a DSLR.  

The Olympus E510 is just as good as the Nikon D80. The Nikon sobs are the ones that will say Nikon takes the best photo. Any real photographer will tell you that they both turn out great quality photos.  

I have the E410 and I think it is fantastic.  Everything makes sense and is in all the right places. I feel like this camera was made for me.  

ANY WAYS.  The only down side to the Olympus is the Lens.  They make a fantastic lens and great quality. BUT because of that they are expensive.  I think with time the price will go down.  I also think other companies might make the switch to the Four Thirds System in a few years.  But till then your choices are slightly limited.

They are both good cameras go with the one that fits you and your needs.

As far as the Nikon having a larger Sensor I don't think that has anything to do with it.  Seeing that they both are using totally different kinds sensors. Olympus is using Live MOS sensor.  Nikon has a CCD sensor.

Check this out.  Look at who is in the top 3.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/123929/to...

Answer 3

Olympus uses the 4/3 format. Unfortunately there aren't many after-market lenses (Tamron, Sigma, Tokina) available for it. Olympus Zuiko lenses are excellent quality but rather pricey.

Nikon is still using the same lens mount so just about any Nikon lens made since 1960 can be used. There is also a much larger selection of after-market lenses and accessories available.

Since you're open to ideas, check out the Sony A300. Sony has incorporated its version of Image Stabilization (IS/Super Steady Shot) in the camera body. Every lens used can thus have that advantage.If you go to http://www.shutterbug.com and type 'konica-minolta 5d' in the Serach box you'll find a test report of the direct ancestor of the A300. During the testing, the author took a hand-held picture of a yacht at anchor, using a 36mm equivalent lens. He took one with IS Off and one with it On. Both pictures look virtually identical until a small section is enlarged. The one with IS On is much sharper. So IS is beneficial for even short focal length lenses, not just longer zooms.

The A300 also has Live View which works with the AF. In a crowd and need to hold the camera over your head to get the picture? Flip the screen down and you can compose and shoot. Using the camera at ground level? Just flip the screen up.

The A300 can also use every Minolta Maxxum AF lens made since 1985 so your lens selection is vast. Sony also offers a Carl Zeiss line of lenses.