Olympus E-510
Slightly larger and heavier than the E-410, the E-510 is still amazingly light. Compared to its predecessor, the E500, it is considerably more sophisticated, with some important new features. The most notable is a live, through the lens preview — until recently a rare capability in SLRs.
A good value all around, the E-510 features easy handling, simple-but-effective 3-point autofocus, and a bright viewfinder. However, as with the E-410, the viewfinder is a bit small for an SLR, and the sensor tends to drop highlights so underexposure is recommended.
The E-510 is a four-thirds camera. This means that its viewfinder and the resulting photos are squarer, like a traditional television screen, than the aspect ratio seen in 35mm and most digital photography. It accepts lenses from a number of manufacturers, including Olympus and Leica.
As Live View modes in SLRs go, the 510’s version is pretty nice, but it’s still clunkier than shooting with a real compact camera.
The E-510 continues the Olympus tradition of appealing to novice or developing photographers with simple, easy-to-use high-end cameras.
The E510 is for “serious photographers who want IS for low-light shooting, plus a large battery and some extra control buttons.
The E-510 is a great entry-level D-SLR. Unless you must have the small size of the E-410, I’d spend the extra $100 and get the E-510 - the image stabilization and more powerful battery are well worth the price.
With a better grip, image stabilization, and all the optical benefits of the Four-Thirds system under its belt, the Olympus E-510 is currently the most well-rounded choice among Four-Thirds SLR cameras
With a better grip, image stabilization, and all the optical benefits of the Four-Thirds system under its belt, the Olympus E-510 is currently the most well-rounded choice among Four-Thirds SLR cameras.
The E-510 shares the same N-MOS sensor as the E-410, providing the Live View option which lets you compose with the main colour screen as an alternative to the traditional optical viewfinder.
I’ve been reviewing digital cameras for about ten years, and in that time I’ve handled and used hundreds of different cameras, from the earliest sub-megapixel snapshot models to the latest professional digital SLRs.
The E-510 boasts a built-in image stabilizer in the camera body which will help to counter-act the effects of camera-shake in conjunction with all Olympus E-System lenses.
The 10 megapixel Olympus E-510 digital SLR is ready to deliver nothing short of the ultimate in professional-grade photography. Live View, a built-in image stabiliser for razor-sharp shots in shaky conditions and a new engine to guarantee exceptional noise performance create a legend.