Olympus has released firmware updates for two of its E-System digital SLR cameras, the E-330 and E-300. The latest firmware update for the E-330 enables autofocusing even in the Macro Live Preview mode. In addition, the updates give both cameras improved exposure precision in Macro mode and when using Spot Metering. Both firmware updates are available now for immediate download. The release of these firmware upgrades illustrates Olympus’ commitment to developing the E-System range of digital SLR’s. These latest updates improve the performance of the E-330 and E-300 for an even more satisfying photographic experience and even better results.The main improvements of the Olympus E-330 Firmware Version 1.2 are:

• AF available in Live Preview B mode (Macro Live Preview): By pressing the AEL/AFL button, the mirror pops down allowing the camera to autofocus once before the mirror returns to the up position again, enabling the Live Preview on the LCD.

• Improved exposure precision: The accuracy of the exposure metering has been improved for pictures taken in Macro mode and when using Spot Metering.

The main improvements of the Olympus E-300 Firmware Version 1.4 are:

• Improved exposure precision: The accuracy of the exposure metering has been enhanced for pictures taken in Macro mode and when using Spot Metering.

Both the E-330 firmware update to version 1.2 and the E-300 update to version 1.4 are available to download now. To install, simply open the Olympus Master / Olympus Studio software, connect the camera to the computer using its USB lead and log onto the internet. Then choose the Update Camera function from the Online Service menu in the Olympus Master / Olympus Studio software and the update will be initiated immediately.

Website : Olympus Unveils E-330 Firmware Update Version 1.2

Olympus has released firmware version 1.1 for the EVOLT E-330. The update enables:

• Improved image quality of 10x enlargement in Live-View B mode (macro live view).
• Live-View B mode (macro live view) can be used in underwater macro mode and underwater wide mode. (Only when the mode dial is customized.)
• Changes made to Korean Language.

Download : Olympus Unveils E-330 Firmware Update Version 1.1

Olympus released the E-330 with the world first real-time live-view feature on the LCD screen. Gary Wolstenholme from ePhotoZine takes a look at whether this is a truly valuable addition, or just a throw-away gimmick. Here’s his conclusoin:

“It isn’t simple trying to decide exactly how I feel about the Olympus E-330. It is a well built camera, capable of delivering very high quality images in good light. The live-view display is a useful addition but, with concentrating on this new technology it seems Olympus have neglected to update other features of the camera, like the autofocus system. It just seems archaic when compared to the multipoint AF arrays in cameras like the Canon EOS 350D and the Nikon D50.

Negative points aside, the quality of the images produced at the lower ISO settings is very good, contrasty and sharp right to the edges and this alone makes the Olympus E-330 worthy of consideration for photographers looking to buy a camera suitable for most general photography tasks.

In summary the positive points of the Olympus E-330 are:

• Excellent image quality at up to ISO400
• Innovative live-view screen
• Quality of the bundled kit lens
• Build quality and design

The negative points:

• Archaic three-point autofocus system. Having to open the menu each time you want to manually select a focus point is a real chore
• Images at ISO1600 are noisier than images from competing cameras
• Reflective screen cover can make it difficult to see in bright light”

Website : Olympus E-330 (Evolt) Review at ePhotoZine

Phil Askey from DPreview review this new Olympus E-330 camera, the first DSLR camera that comes with a live LCD view feature. Here’s the summary of the conclusion:

“So we come to the E-330’s unique selling point, its live view feature. Olympus are proud that they have been the first manufacturer to implement a continuous live LCD view on a removable lens digital SLR. It’s fair to say for some buyers this will be reason enough to go for the E-330, but for me I found it to be (a) a solution looking for a problem and (b) poorly implemented.

Firstly I don’t honestly see that many digital SLR owners asking for this feature, it’s a neat option, it’s good for upgraders coming from consumer cameras who may be used to seeing the live view on the LCD screen and it may well have one or two useful scenarios (macro shooting, live portraits shown on a TV screen) however for me I simply found myself moving back to the viewfinder more times than not.

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Olympus announced the new E-330 digital SLR camera in January 2006. It is equipped with the world’s first Full-time Live View function that makes it possible to frame images on the LCD, as well as to use the traditional shooting style by looking though the finder. DPnow received a boxed production sample and done the first impression review of the camera. The conclusion is : ”

• The E-330 may be descended from the unloved E-300, but it’s a subtly improved design in both appearance and handling.
  
• Live view operation in Mode A and Mode B hold no surprises - using it makes one wonder why it wasn’t introduced a long time ago.
  
• Although the optical TL viewfinder is less bright than an E-500, which has a conventional pentaprism arrangement, it won’t be a critical issue for many potential buyers. The finder is less bright and saturated than the E-500’s, but this is slightly compensated by a larger magnification, so the frame appears larger.
  
• Noise - a simple side by side image comparison with an E-500 seems to indicate a significant improvement in noise suppression with the E-330. DXO Analyzer 2.0 luminance noise test results back this up, with the E-330 scoring better than the E-330 at every ISO level.”

Website : Olympus E-330 (Evolt) hands-on first impressions

Some interesting comments from Yoshiyuki Nada, technical product manager for Olympus, regarding the live view function of the new Olympus E-330 camera.

“We expect all digital SLR will have this live view function in the near future. Some customers who haven’t used an SLR but a digital compact camera simply wonder why a DSLR doesn’t have the live view function. They are used to using the live view function. Therefore in answer to your question the live view function is due to customer demand.

On the other hand, some professional photographers such as nature, macro and studio photographers have requested a DSLR that has the live view function.

…The E-330 has a newly developed image sensor that we call the live MOS sensor -the FFT CCD can’t show the live view. We developed it in order to get better battery consumption and image quality. This sensor can provide low noise image.

There are some DSLRs, which can show the live view using a main image sensor. But these are limited in the time they can show the image on the LCD. This is because to continue showing live view makes a sensor overheat and that affects image quality. We solved this as well and the E-330 has no such limitation.”

Website : Interview with Yoshiyuki Nada

Olympus announced the new E-330 digital SLR camera. It is equipped with the world’s first Full-time Live View function that makes it possible to frame images on the LCD, as well as to use the traditional shooting style by looking though the finder. Manual focus with the Macro Live View function makes close-up focusing–an operation that was once very difficult to carry out–much easier. You can freely select the exact part of the image that you want to focus on by using the cursor, and then the Macro Live View’s 10X magnification assures accurate macro focusing.

Here’re some other main features of the camera :

• World’s first interchangeable lens SLR with live LCD preview
• High performance 7.5-Megapixel Live MOS image sensor
• SuperSonic Wave Filter for image sensor dust protection
• Lens mount for Zuiko Digital Specific lenses
• 2.5″ flexible HyperCrystal LCD monitor with 160° viewing angle
• Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter-speed Priority, Manual and 31 Scene modes, including two for use underwater
• Metering modes: 49 point ESP, Center weighted, Spot (2%), Spot High Light and Spot Shadow
• 3-point (selectable) TTL Auto Focus
• Capture 3fps up to 4 frames in SHQ (in HQ or SQ up to the capacity of high speed CF card)
• Dual Memory Slots support xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash/Microdrive storage

The Olympus EVOLT E-330 Digital SLR will be available in the end of February 2006. It includes: The EVOLT E-330 Body with 14-45mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLM-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCM-1), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM, Manuals, Warranty card. The Estimated Street Price is $1099.99 USD.

Website : Olympus Official press announcement

Website : Olympus E-330 Detail Specification

Website : Olympus E-330 Official Sample Images

Website : Olympus E-330 Hands-on Preview at DPreview