Olympus E600

The Olympus E600 is a DSLR released in 2009. It pairs a 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor with the Micro 4/3 lens mount and weighs 515 g. Its body measures 130 x 94 x 60 mm.

It is a camera for stills photographers. There is no video recording, so it suits someone who wants a straightforward interchangeable-lens body for photographs rather than a hybrid for both media.

Handling is traditional. You compose through an optical viewfinder, switch to the flipping LCD with live view when the angle demands it, and benefit from in-body stabilisation with every lens you fit.

Stills are this camera's whole job. The Micro Four Thirds Live MOS sensor works with the TruePic III+ processor to form the imaging chain. Sensor format and processor names alone do not guarantee measured noise, dynamic range or other image quality results.

In-body stabilisation is the standout. It reduces camera shake with every lens you mount, which helps handheld work in dim interiors and at longer focal lengths. It corrects your movement, not the subject's, so it will not freeze a running child.

Seven autofocus points and a top burst of 4 frames per second complete the shooting specification. The burst rate is a maximum, not a sustained-speed promise, and the focus point count alone says nothing about tracking. The shutter reaches 1/4000 at its fastest.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 200 to 3200. Composing is done through an optical pentamirror viewfinder, with live view on the flipping LCD as the alternative for awkward angles.

The E600 does not record video. There is no movie mode of any kind, no clip length to consider and no frame rate to weigh up. Anyone who wants motion footage alongside stills will need a separate recording device, whether that is a phone, a compact or a second camera.

There is no built-in interval timer either, so timelapse work would mean firing the shutter manually or adding external equipment to trigger the camera at set intervals. Neither route is built into the body, which keeps the E600 firmly a stills tool.

For purely photographic work, nothing here is missing. The camera's design, from the optical viewfinder to the in-body stabilisation, serves stills capture first. If motion is ever part of your plans, budget for a second device, because the E600 offers no video capability of its own.

The 2.7-inch LCD is small, and its 230,000-dot panel keeps on-screen detail modest, so it works better for framing than for confirming critical focus. It does flip out, and together with live view that lets you shoot from waist level or overhead without contorting.

Flash is well covered. A built-in unit handles quick indoor shots, and the camera also accepts an external flash when you need more power or better placement.

The feature set is thin. There is no weather sealing, no touchscreen, no Bluetooth and no GPS. The Features score of 34 reflects lost points for the first three and only partial credit for screen size and resolution, while live view earned full marks. That places the E600 in the bottom 15% of cameras in our database for Features.

Two card slots accept CompactFlash Type I or II cards and xD Picture Cards. Having two formats gives you some flexibility over which media you buy, though you may want to settle on one for simplicity.

The BLS-1 battery is rated at 500 shots per charge. Real endurance varies with how you shoot and the conditions, so a spare battery is wise for longer trips.

There is no USB charging, so the camera cannot be charged over a USB connection. The good Storage & Battery score of 60 reflects full marks for the dual card slots, partial credit for the 500-shot battery rating and no points for USB charging.