A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Olympus E-620 Comparison Review

The Olympus E-620 is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was officially introduced in February 2009 and is equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. It offers a resolution of 12.2 megapixel.

camera

Is the Olympus E-620 a good camera? The E-620 has a Camera Elo of 1289. This rating puts the E-620 below average of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (Four Thirds cameras), the E-620 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Olympus E-620 is more than 15 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2009.

Headline Specifications
Olympus E-620
Digital single lens reflex
Four Thirds lenses
12.2 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
no Video
ISO 100 - 3 200
Optical viewfinder
2.7 LCD, 230k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
4 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization
500 shots per battery charge
130 x 94 x 60 mm, 521 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

ad

Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Olympus E-620 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Olympus E-620 vs credit card front
E-620 versus credit card top view
E-620 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Olympus E-620 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-620 130 mm 94 mm 60 mm 521 g 500 n Feb 2009 699ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-PL1 115 mm 72 mm 42 mm 334 g 290 n Feb 2010 599ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-450 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2009 499ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-600 130 mm 94 mm 60 mm 535 g 500 n Aug 2009 449ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-P1 121 mm 70 mm 36 mm 355 g 300 n Jun 2009 799ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-P2 121 mm 70 mm 36 mm 355 g 300 n Nov 2009 799ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-30 142 mm 108 mm 75 mm 701 g 750 n Nov 2008 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-420 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2008 599ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-520 136 mm 92 mm 68 mm 535 g 750 n May 2008 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-410 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 435 g 500 n Mar 2007 699ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-510 136 mm 92 mm 68 mm 538 g 750 n Mar 2007 799ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Olympus E-620 was launched in the US market at a price of $699. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

logo
Check E-620 offers at
ebay.com

Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Olympus E-620 features a Four Thirds sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Olympus E-620 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Olympus E-620 sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Olympus E-620 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024none21.310.353655
2.
 
Olympus E-PL1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.510.148754
3.
 
Olympus E-450 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.551256
4.
 
Olympus E-600 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024none21.510.354155
5.
 
Olympus E-P1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.410.453655
6.
 
Olympus E-P2 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.510.450556
7.
 
Olympus E-30 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024none21.310.453055
8.
 
Olympus E-420 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.452756
9.
 
Olympus E-520 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.410.454855
10.
 
Olympus E-410 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.110.049451
11.
 
Olympus E-510 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.210.044252
padding

It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the E-620 does not provide the possibility to capture videos.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the E-620 has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 95% and a magnification of 0.48x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Olympus E-620 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Olympus E-620optical n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Olympus E-PL1optional n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 3.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Olympus E-450optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
4.
 
Olympus E-600optical n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Olympus E-P1none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n Y
6.
 
Olympus E-P2optional n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n Y
7.
 
Olympus E-30optical Y2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Olympus E-420optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
9.
 
Olympus E-520optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y Y
10.
 
Olympus E-410optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Olympus E-510optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

The LCD screen on the Olympus E-620 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD is hinged on the side and can be flipped out for odd-angle shots in both portrait and landscape orientation. Also, this fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment is often appreciated by videographers for its flexibility. Moreover, v-loggers like the design because the screen can be turned to be front-facing.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the E-620

One convenient feature of the E-620 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

ad

Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus E-620 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Olympus E-620Y- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Olympus E-PL1Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
3.
 
Olympus E-450Y- / ----2.0---
4.
 
Olympus E-600Y- / ----2.0---
5.
 
Olympus E-P1Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
6.
 
Olympus E-P2Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
7.
 
Olympus E-30Y- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Olympus E-420Y- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Olympus E-520Y- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Olympus E-410Y- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Olympus E-510Y- / ----2.0---
padding

Further information on the features and operation of the E-620 can be found in the free online Olympus E-620 Manual or on the Olympus support site.

ad

Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the E-620 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

scroll hint
Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-6203/588/100..72/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2009 699ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-PL1..86/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 599ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-450........4/54/5 Mar 2009 499ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-600..........4.5/5 Aug 2009 449ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-P1..+..66/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2009 799ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-P23/5+..69/1004/54.5/5 Nov 2009 799ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-30......71/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2008 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-420..85/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2008 599ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-520..87/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 May 2008 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-410..86/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2007 699ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-510..89/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Mar 2007 799ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

logo
Check E-620 offers at
ebay.com

Olympus E-620 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the E-620.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Olympus E-620 based on?

The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Olympus E-620 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Olympus equipped the E-620 with the TruePic III+ image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Olympus E-620?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200.

Does the Olympus E-620 have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the E-620 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Olympus E-620?

Olympus does not publish a shutter rating for the E-620. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Olympus E-620?

Olympus embeds the number of shutter actuations in hidden menus. You can check the number of shots that your E-620 has taken up to now by carefully following the steps described on the Olympus E-620 shutter count page.

Does the Olympus E-620 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Olympus E-620 for flash photography?

The E-620's flash sync speed is 1/180 sec.

Which battery does the Olympus E-620 use?

The camera gets its power from the BLS-1 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Is there a vertical grip available for the Olympus E-620?

Yes, Olympus offers the HLD-5 as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.

Camera to camera comparisons

If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

~
    loader
    ad
    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Olympus E-620
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date February 2009
    Launch Price USD 699
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 225 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 032 x 3 024 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.29 μm
    Pixel Density 5.42 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 3 200 ISO
    Image Processor TruePic III+
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 55
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 536
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.48x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 2.7 inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 4 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF or XD cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Battery Type BLS-1 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)500 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 130 x 94 x 60 mm
    (5.1 x 3.7 x 2.4 in)
    Camera Weight 521 g (18.4 oz)

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Olympus E-620 Review