The comfort and flexibility of continuous live previews directly on the LCD is available to digital SLR users for the first time. This ground-breaking innovation - which started with the E-330 enables framing of shots without the need to look through the viewfinder. Users can therefore see what’s going on around them while they shoot and also use the camera in situations where it is difficult to frame using the viewfinder. This means that macro photographers needn’t lie in the mud to frame ground-level subjects any more, and portrait photographers can keep constant eye contact with their model or client. It makes capturing shots from unusual angles, such as in crowds, effortless.
Fulltime Live View utilises a second image sensor mounted in the viewfinder’s optical path to transfer the image to the 2.5”/6.4cm multi-angle LCD. Because this CCD is placed after a half transmissive mirror, then the view via the optical view finder is also available. So, depending of on the shooting environment, the photographer can choose which viewing option to use. Because the side swinging mirror will stay in the usual position full AF functionality is available.
Especially for portrait photographers, two passport frames are incorporated for perfect framing.
Until now, it was impossible to check the results of exposure correction before taking the picture, but Live Preview has made it possible. As this function allows the user to confirm the correction effect intuitively, even users with no knowledge of exposure can easily exploit the advantages of SLR shooting. Those users who are familiar with exposure correction can also benefit since it will allow them to make adjustments more quickly while viewing the LCD monitor, without having to check the white balance after every shot.
The Macro Live View locks the mirror in the up position and uses the camera’s Live MOS sensor to enable a Macro Live View with a 100% field of view. This mode is especially helpful for visual focusing on macro subjects, providing the freedom of complete manual focus control via the main Live MOS Sensor. A selected section of the image can be enlarged by 10x to ensure focusing accuracy.
Even underwater, D-SLR photography reaches a new dimension. On Live View cameras with optional underwater cases, divers can see their subject through their diving masks clearly on the large LCD and also have the convenience of being able to choose from special underwater scene modes. Underwater housings are available for the E-330, the E-410 and the E-3 as well as for a wide variety of lenses and flash guns.
Live View is made possible by moving the mirror upwards and displaying the image on the LCD at the back of the camera as the image sensor “sees” it. Both automatic and manual focusing modes are supported. For autofocus in TTL phase-difference detection, the mirror is flipped down momentarily and then - once the AF sensor which sits behind the mirror has taken its reading - back up again. This is the method for the E-3, the E-410 & E-510.
For the E-420 though, there is also the option to instead use an autofocus method of contrast AF, meaning the camera detects the highest contrast within the framed image directly on the sensor and sets the focus accordingly. This is the method that photographers used to digital compact cameras will feel familiar with. It is even more comfortable and very quick as the mirror flipping is not needed. For highest accuracy and a more comfortable framing, the user can even combine both methods - prefocus using contrast detection on the sensor and the using the dedicated AF sensor -System!
