7.5 Megapixel Digital SLR Cameras

Last Updated: March 2007 There are two available 7.5 megapixel digital SLR cameras. While you might think a camera like this is just for the 8 megapixel wannabe photographer, that's not really the case. Both cameras share a unique feature that is not avaialble in any other digital SLR. This is not entirely surprising. One camera is made by Olympus and the other by Panasonic. These companies are partnered, and share resources when it comes to the development of their digital SLR cameras.

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For now, Olympus and Panasonic have the 7.5 megapixel digital SLR market entirely to themselves.

Current Cameras

Here's a quick introduction to these two cameras.

Camera	LCD Size	Autofocus	Size	Weight	Price
Olympus E-330	2.5 in	3-point	5.5 x 3.4 x 2.8 in 140 x 87 x 72 mm	22 oz 616 g	$ 1,000 £ 800
Panasonic DMC-L1	2.5 in	3-point	5.8 x 3.4 x 3 in 146 x 87 x 77 mm	21.44 oz 606 g	$ 2,000 £ n/a

Live Preview Mode

The defining feature on both of these 7.5 megapixel digital SLR cameras is the live preview mode.

This mode generates a preview of the image you are about to take and projects it onto the camera's LCD.

Waitaminute...isn't that what every digital camera in the world already does?

Compact cameras - yes. Digital SLRs - no.

With every other digital SLR camera, you must look through the camera's viewfinder to compose your shot - you can't use the LCD to see the photo you are about to take.

In fact, th eonly purpose of an LCD on a digital SLR is so you can review the photos you've already taken.

Both the Olympus E-330 and Panasonic DMC-L1 are the first digital SLR cameras to come with live preview.

Self-Cleaning Sensor

While the live preveiw mode is a pretty big deal, both cameras also have another feature that's handy: self-cleaning sensors.

Dust can never get on the sensor of your compact digital camera because you never take the lens off.

Since you can change the lenses of a digital SLR (which I consider to be an advantage), you also risk exposing the sensor to dust.

Once a tny particle of dust gets on your digital camera's sensor, it shows up in all of your photos as a large black spot.

If this happens with other cameras, you have to clean the sensor - a delicate operation not meant for anyone even remotely technophobic.

Olympus developed a technology called a SuperSonic Wave Filter to eradicate those pesky dust motes.

The sensor vibrates every time you turn the camera on, shaking off any particles of dust attached to it.

Since Panasonic is partnered with Olympus, they were able to leverage the same technology for their 7.5 megapixel digital SLR, the DMC-L1.

Flip-Out LCD

So far I've talked about how similar these two 7.5 megapixel digital SLR cameras are.

But what about the differences?

Here's one way to tell them apart: the LCD screen on the Olympus E-330 flips out from the camera body.

This makes it easy to compsoe shots uwing the live preview mode even when holding the camera above your head or all the say down at ankle level.

It's ideal for candid street photographers who want to take quick shots above crowds and from waist level without drawing a lot of attention.

If you don't have to put the camera to your face, but can just peek at the LCD, a lot less people are going to notice that you're taking pictures.

The flip-out LCD is also fantastic for anyone who wants to break away from the eye-level viewpoint of most photographs without having to lie down in a muddy field to get a new angle on the world.

The Leica Legacy

If you talk to any old-school film photographers, you might hear them raving about Leica cameras.

It's not surprising why: this venerable German company has been fabricating cameras since 1913.

That's a long time to work on your camera and lenses.

Many professional photographers have used Leicas for years, including some well-known names: Henri Cartier-Bresson is just one.

One aspect of the DMC-L1 is that is has a very unique style compared to other digital SLRs and looks a lot more like the Leica cameras of old.

If your style is more vintage than modern, then the Panasonic camera might be the better choice over the E-330.

Only one problem - you'll have to pay a lot more for those vintage looks: the DMC-L1 is double the price of the E-330.

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