Olympus, the pioneer of Digital SLR Live View technology, announces the smallest and lightest consumer DSLR. The divide between point-and-shoot digicam and the professional DSLR becomes more blur with the new 10-megapixel E420.

Early this year, Sony announced the Alpha A350 with Quick AF Live View that delivers true live auto focus capability without any viewfinder blackout or lag. At that time, the Live View implementation by Sony was by far the best. But now Olympus caught up by promising similar instant experience while continue using the existing contrast-detection method. Although I have not had hands-on, this item in the specification means that Olympus continues to use the existing implementation just like the current E510 model, which is, using the main image sensor for auto-focus assist. It is claimed that contrast-detection method is more accurate because it uses the actual sensor to detect focusing while the phase-detection method uses a separate sensor to achieve that.

Despite this new Live View implementation, it must be noted that only selected lenses support this on-screen AF experience. As of now, the list includes only 3 lenses: ZUIKO DIGITAL ED14-42mm f3.5-5.6, ED40-150mm f4.0-5.6 and 25mm f2.8. When using other lenses, the normal phase-detection method applies, which means, the mirror flips-down, then autofocus is carried out, then mirror flips-up.

Olympus adds on several more point-and-shoot features to make E420 a more consumer-friendly camera, one of which is the popular face recognition. It also claims that they have "Perfect Shot Preview", which is a phrase to describe that the Live View will display and preview the exposure settings, the photo effects (like sepia). This is nothing new: Sony already has it in A350.

So from what I see, Olympus new E420 does not offer anything revolutionary to the DSLR market, except for its claimed smallest size and lightest weight at 380g (without battery), thanks to the Four-Thirds format and a shrunk hand grip, something that I believe would not go well with the usual DSLR users. But that is probably not the target market for the E420 anyway.

The E420 will be available in the market within this month.