Photo answers review
Photo answers rating 
Features and handling
The Olympus E-450 is an almost pocket-size DSLR that offers full DSLR controls in a simple layout, making it ideal for those occasions where you need a camera but don’t require the quality of a large high-end DSLR. When a shot requires a more careful choice of aperture and shutter control it’s quick and easy to change the pace of shooting, while the small size and light weight makes it as comfortable to use as a compact. The 14-42mm zoom (available as part of a kit) provides enough focal lengths for a range of everyday shots.
With the exception of a new processor, an improved LCD screen and three new Art Filters, the new E-450 is essentially the same camera as the E-420. Staying true to Olympus form, the E-450 comes packed with 28 shooting modes (five exposure modes, five creative modes and18 scene select modes) designed to help the novice make the leap into DSLR photography. Controls are well laid out and menus easy to navigate. So far, so good.
Slightly more surprising is the fact that the sensor has remained at just 10MP. That’s the same as the E-420 and less than even some Olympus compacts, such as the Mju 7000 with its 12MP resolution. Olympus may have given the E-450 a new Trupic III+ Image Processor for faster image processing times and improved ISO response, but why has so little attention been paid to such an important feature as resolution? One reason could be that the recently released E-620 has a 12.3MP sensor, and bringing the 400 series up to this point could be a sales disaster? It’s a shame though and a tad disappointing.
The new HyperCrystal II LCD screen is large at 2.7in, considering the diminutive size of the camera body. This is one area in which the camera does offer a significant improvement on the E-420, with more faithful colour reproduction and better contrast for viewing menus. The screen can even be viewed in bright sunlight, although the image appears to lose quality on screen. It’s always best to review images in low light, but the main point isn’t really about reviewing images in detail, more that it makes using Live View in bright conditions a possibility. Live View provides a 100% field-of-view through the LCD screen for precise composition and focus, so this improvement is invaluable.
One of the most impressive features of the E-450 is its wireless flash capability. Like the E-420 before it, the camera can control up to three flashguns using the Olympus wireless system. The system is simple to set up, with the on-camera flash acting as a trigger rather than needing an additional controller device. Flash control can be set to Auto, TTL and Manual, all with exposure compensation if necessary. No other DSLR in the entry-level class offers wireless flash control, so Olympus takes the lead here. It’s worth bearing in mind though that the Olympus FL-36R Wireless flashgun costs around £199, which is only £125 less than the E-450 body. A couple of these and you’ll have spent more on flashguns than your camera.
Performance and image quality
The performance can't really be faulted but you would have expected it to be leaps and bounds above the E-420. ISO performance isn't great on this camera, despite a brand new sensor, with anything above ISO 400 on the noisy side.
Verdict
The E-450 is undoubtedly an improvement on the E-420, but we’re not sure there’s enough of a step-up to justify upgrading. For a newcomer to Olympus cameras the improved screen and addition of three Art Filters could be very attractive. But considering this is a new DSLR designed to sit alongside an older version of itself, rather than superseding it, it comes as a surprise that it’s not a significant improvement on the E-420. Overall the E-450 is a reasonable entry-level DSLR in terms of price and features, with a good balance of manual and automated controls. One of the main selling points of the 400 series has to be its small size, especially when paired with the compact Zuiko Digital 25mm Pancake Lens. This makes the E-450 a DSLR that’s ideal as a second camera, especially if you already own Olympus lenses. At £399 for the E-450 plus the 14-42mm kit lens this entry-level DSLR is competitively priced.
Key specification
Street price £399 (with 14-42mm lens)
Effective resolution 10MP
Sensor type Live MOS sensor
Crop factor 2x
Lens mount Olympus
Exposure modes P/A/S/M, Auto, Scene select AE
Metering modes Evaluative, centre-weighted and spot
ISO range 100-1600
Shooting speed 3.5fps
Card type CompactFlash, xD
LCD monitor size 2.7in
Aspect ratio 4:3
Live View Yes, with contrast AF
Autofocus 3 points
Integrated cleaning Yes
Built-in stabilisation Yes
Weight/size 380g/129.5x91x53mm