remember if you want to speed up the buffer and enable panorama shooting you'll need both a CF and XD card inserted.
XD cards only go to 2gb and not sure what the max CF but I have used 8gb in a 410 and 510.. remember to upgrade your camera and lens firmware to the latest one.![]()
how do i do that??
With the method employed by Olympus ... carefully
The camera would have Master software with it on a CD. Install that (if not already) and run it. Connect the camera to the computer via the USB cable and in the Master menu somewhere (I use Olympus Viewer2 instaed of master so can't check) you will see an option to update camera/lens.
Make sure you have a fully charged battery and especially make sure you read the screens carefully. Quite a few people get to the last page where it shows a screenshot of the LCD with OK on it and says it is safe to unplug the camera once this screen appears ..... but they don't wait for the OK and turn off. Instant dead camera :bonk:
http://www.olympus-europa.com/consumer/208_7226.htm for the body. I'm not sure off hand which menu on the camera tells you it's current firmware, but it's there somewhere.
I now have the e620 so can't be much more specific help, sos.
I would bet that the original firmware will cope fine with your cards.
If you do feel a need / find a requirement to update any firmware you can download Viewer 2 from here
The link Mike posted earlier details the method for updating.
The camera updater program is installed as part of Viewer2
Edit to add:
The only update for the E-420 (Ver 1.1) is "Improved brightness level of optical viewfinder AF target points."
was there not also a lens FW update for contrast AF on the 420?
Not mentioned here
Isn't it the lens that has the upgrade for CD AF?
I seem to recall Oly promising the 12-60 would have an update for it and it never materialising.
To update the lens firmware, please use any of OLYMPUS E-System cameras. Learn how to update the Firmware of your lens by clicking here. If you do not have an OLYMPUS E-System camera, please contact OLYMPUS European Customer Support Center.
Version 1.3 - 29.10.2008
- It ensures compatibility when used with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1.
Version 1.2 - Additional Features, 17.04.2008
- Improves the precision of focusing by using the contrast AF * in combination with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10.
Version 1.1 - Additional Features, 27.03.2008
- Full contrast AF performance is available if supported by the camera*.
* Contrast AF is not available with the following cameras: E-1, E-3, E-300, E-330, E-400, E-410, E-500, E-510
I'd recommend a 4-gig CF card : we prefer Sandisk.
I had problems with an 8-gig Lexar (probably Lexar) in my e-410.
Using XD & CF is apparently a good way of making sure ... like for a wedding.
I've never used an XD, cos CF are great.
Both in together is fine, I did it always. The in-built panorama will only work with an XD card, the reason I bought one. Then never used the panorama function!
Changing between them is on the menu on the rear screen, I seem to recall it's the same as the e620: bottom-most left corner. Press 'OK' to get into the on-screen functions, navigate with the direction key pad until the cf/xd is highlighted. then turn the function wheel to select between them. You can also copy images between the cards in-camera. That button is on the top-plate, left-hand side.
CF cards read/write much faster than XD. Faster write times means the buffer will clear quicker; it'll still fill up at the same rate. In practical terms, this means more continuous shots before you have to pause shooting while it clears Especially useful if you're shooting in RAW (ORF) and JPEG simultaneously.