The new Olympus E-520 digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera delivers brilliant images thanks to advanced technologies that help take the blur out. Industry leading Image Stabilization built into the portable camera body compensates for movement so that images are sharp and blur-free with any lens and even at slow shutter speeds. Autofocus Live View brings subjects into sharp focus on the camera’s HyperCrystal II LCD. Together, these technologies produce amazing results, along with the following features that further expand the DSLR experience:
- In-Body Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive technology provides blur-free images when using any of the more than 30 digital-specific lenses;
- Face Detection Technology targets and locks on faces to ensure they are in focus and blur-free for amazing portraits;
- Shadow Adjustment Technology opens up detail in the shadows that other cameras would render too dark or underexposed while maintaining detail in the highlights; and
- Perfect Shot Preview enables photographers to view and select White Balance and Exposure Compensation effects right on the LCD, and see how the image will look before they even capture it.
Evolt E-520 Highlights 10-megapixel Live-MOS Sensor Get amazingly detailed, colorful and clear images with the 10-megapixel Live-MOS image sensor. This high-resolution sensor captures all the detail needed to make large prints, or even crop without losing detail. The E-520 sensor's high dynamic range, accurate color rendition and low noise characteristics let you capture great images, even at high ISO settings. Enhanced In-Body Image Stabilization For the first time, in-body Mechanical Image Stabilization has three modes for increased versatility. IS-1 mode for general shooting adjusts the sensor on both the X and Y axes to compensate for movement by the photographer so images stay sharp even at slow shutter speeds. To capture the motion of athletes and a |
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- Box Contents - E-520 body, Li-ion battery BLM-1, Li-ion battery charger BCM-2, USB cable, Video cable, OLYMPUS Master 2 CD-ROM, Instruction manual
- Up to 3648x2736 resolution - RAW (12-bit), JPEG, and RAW+JPEG File Formats
- CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot) Memory Card Slot
- 3.5 frames per seconds sequential shooting speed, up to 8 frames in RAW mode
- Dimensions - Width 5.35 x Height 3.60 x Depth 2.68 (136x91.5x68mm) excluding protrusions
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 Great Camera, Great Lenses and Features Galore |
| Review Date: July 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Tisza Major, Claremont, CA |
The E-520 is my very first DSLR and I have had it now since April '09 (the Easter Bunny brought it :-) and I can't say enough good things about this camera or this combo.
The camera body is lightweight enough to carry all day without getting tired but sturdy enough to not feel "cheap". The two kit lenses cover most of the distances the average user will want or need, and again neither one is a back-breaker. I use the 40-150mm when I am going to spend a day at the zoo to bring the animals closer to me (since they won't let me get closer to them :-).
One really nifty feature that the camera offers is the ability to use Live View Boost to focus and frame pictures with an infrared filter in place on the front of the lens and to actually see what the camera will record. Pretty cool.
The controls are easy to use and I think the only challenge I have encountered where they are concerned is not in using them but in remembering what to use when and to remember what menu it is under. Fortunately, most of the things you will need most often (wb, AF, Flash, ISO, etc.) also have dedicated buttons easy to find right there on the camera body. You can also set your own custom profile combos to allow you to quickly switch from one set up to another without having to remember what you did the last time that you liked.
The 20 scene modes make life very easy especially when you are just starting out or if you don't want to think and just want to shoot. And the ability (with the optional waterproof housing and light) to shoot underwater would be a really cool thing to do.
Color is great, clarity is great, the ability to remotely control the FL-36R or FL-50R flash units without having to have them attached to the camera by wires of any kind is great too.
A word about the proprietary XD card (the camera supports three different recording formats, CF, XD and Microdrive (But who uses those really?)) you can have the card in the camera in addition to the CF card and I would recommend having one just for the panoramic assist option which is only available if you use the XD card. The panoramic assist supports horizontal and vertical pans and the stitching software is built into the Olympus Master software that comes standard with the camera.
The only down side to having this camera is that you may find it difficult to find all the different lenses available at your local camera store (but there is always Amazon) as Nikon and Cannon have much better marketing. Oh, and one more word about lenses, you can get adapters which will allow you to use not only Olympus OM mount lenses from your SLR but also Pentax, Minolta, Nikon, Cannon, Miyama, and all the rest. Olympus only makes the OM mount adapter but you can find all the others aftermarket. You will need to be able to manually focus and set the f-stop on the lens itself as those features won't be supported through the adapters but it sure opens up options. |
Thank the gods for digital cameras!
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| Review Date: August 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: bdgilfry@wildchildpublishing.com, California |
I shopped and I compared before buying. While the E-520 is not my first SLR--I have owned and shot with Nikons and Canons for many years--it is my first Digital SLR. I am very comfortable with it. It is sturdy, good looking, flexible and efficient.
The main complaint I see regarding the E-520 is its ability to focus. That is a valid complaint. However...
First, every lens that Oly makes is different in its auto-focus characteristics. Yes, you will have to become familiar with each lens separately, but this is true of all SLR cameras and lenses.
Second, some lenses are better than others at AF. Most of the complaints I see come from birders, and they are probably using the 40-150 kit lens, or the 70-300 lens. These lenses do take some getting used to.
I was shocked when I received the 70-300. It's a monster! But I have been able to focus on a wire 100 feet away, then move the camera and focus 200 yards beyond that within a split second; same with the 40-150 kit lens after a little practice.
In low light, I recommend that one ALWAYS focus manually.
As far as the quality of the image produced by the E-520 (once you master the focusing aspect), it is spectacular. I have spent hours comparing images from the E-520 to those from Nikons and Canons. There is virtually no difference. (Check out the review and compare images at: [...]
If you're willing and able to spend $8000 for the top Nikon body (and another $10,000 or so for lenses), you will get that little bit of extra resolution and snappy auto-focus. But you didn't spend $18,000 for the Olympus E-520.
Is it fair to buy a $25,000 Pontiac Solstice and expect it to perform like a $160,000 Ferrari?
The E-520 is an amazing camera. Period. Full stop. It's even more amazing when you consider that you can buy it with two kit lenses and add the 50mm "Pro" lens and still have spent under $1000.
Happy shooting!
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E520 is a great feature-packed entry level DSLR
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| Review Date: October 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Mattaphore, California, USA |
I bought my E-520 in November of 2008 and we purchased this second camera for my father.
As said before in many other reviews, the E-520 is a DSLR with full control over it's features. In-body image stabilization works great and allows all 4/3rds lenses to be stabilized.
The E-520 pairs beautifully with the 50mm f/2.0 Zuiko Digital Macro.
The 14-42mm is a versatile wide angle and the 40-150mm is a great entry level telephoto.
Check out the reviews on [...] |
Olympus E-520: Better technology for lesser price
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| Review Date: June 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Johanybravo, |
I have been using this for past one month now and havn't had any problems with it yet. The pictures are sharp and colors captured are live, especially in the "Vivid" mode.
The advantage is In-body image stabilizer so you don't have to buy lenses with IS, saves money on that front; and the body is smaller than the competitors, so is easy to handle too.
However, sometimes, the built-in flash interferes with the brightness of the image in auto-mode. It might be darker than it should be. But for the features you're getting at the price, I would give it 5-star...
Have fun shooting ;) |
Often overlooked, Research is rewarded
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| Review Date: October 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: A. Myles, Durham, North Carolina, United States |
| Nikon and Canon get most of the attention when it comes to the dSLR market. And for good reason. They are great cameras. But they might not be the perfect choice for everyone. I submit that this camera competes completely with anything Canon and Nikon can bring at this price point. With features like anti-shake in the camera and several scene modes, this camera makes life a little easier for folks in a hurry. I was suprised at how well this camera is able to pull in really good shots on the fly. |
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