The Olympus EVOLT E-330 is the world’s first interchangeable lens digital SLR to offer a “Live View” image on the LCD screen, in addition to the optical viewfinder. The design of a normal DSLR camera is such that the mirror remains down, blocking the image sensor, until the moment of exposure. This does not allow for the use of the LCD for framing as it has nothing to display. Olympus took the unique design of their E-300 and went a step farther including a preview CCD imager in its optical viewfinder. In addition, the E-330’s LCD is “articulated” it can extend out from the camera body and swivel downward or upward so the camera can be held overhead to snap over a crowd, or held at the hip or even placed on the ground – something that’s not possible with a traditional SLR. And for critical work the B-mode function of the Live View system locks the mirror up and the LCD image is generated directly from the Live MOS image sensor itself.

DigitalCameraInfo.com gave the E330 a once-over and posted their review of the Olympus E-330 Digital SLR. Read on-

“Live preview on a DSLR is very impressive, and the EVOLT E-330 has the best live preview we’ve ever seen, period. It has less display lag, it’s brighter and clearer, and it allows more accurate manual focus than any of the best premium compacts, like the Sony R1 or the Panasonic Lumix FZ30. It’s very good at its unique trick.

That said, the preview still seems like a technology in search of a use. Olympus seems ambivalent about it, suggesting exotic uses like underwater photography but leaning more heavily on the notion that that users stepping up from compact cameras to DSLRs might feel more comfortable with an LCD display like the one they’re used to. However, how much validity this claim holds still remains to be seen.

In terms of imaging performance, the E-330 loses its competitive edge against similarly-priced DSLRs. For $1100, the resolution is there, but the high ISO performance and low light capture still hovers in an area that’s more competitive with compacts. The camera’s true Achilles heal, however, still seems to be its outdated autofocus system. With just three sensor sites, the technology was substandard on the camera’s predecessor, the E-300, when it was announced in September, 2004. For $1100, there are many DSLRs out there that out-perform the E-330, however, there’s currently only one that offers interchangeable lenses and live preview. “

Read the Olympus EVOLT E-330 Digital Camera Review
Olympus EVOLT E-330 Features
* 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
* Four-Thirds System 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
* sRGB or Adobe RGB color space selection
* JPEG, TIFF and RAW file formats
* Simultaneous capture of RAW + JPEG files
* Metering modes: 49 point ESP, Center weighted, Spot (2%), Spot High Light and Spot Shadow
* Exposure compensation ±5 steps EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 steps
* 3-point (selectable) TTL Auto Focus
* Auto popup multi-mode intelligent flash
* Hot shoe for E System TTL flash units (FL20, FL36, FL50)
* Capture 3fps up to 4 frames in SHQ
* Capture 3fps in HQ or SQ up to the capacity of high speed CF card
* Bracketing of Auto Exposure, Flash, MF and White Balance
* ISO range 100-400 with boost from 400 to 1600
* RGB histogram display for accurate color information per channel including overall luminance
* 5-level Sharpening, Contrast and Saturation controls
* USB connectivity and PictBridge direct-print compatible
* xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash/Microdrive storage
* High capacity Li-ion rechargeable battery and rapid charger
* Optional high-quality underwater housing