Olympus EVOLT E-510

Price Range: $607.99 - $999.95

The Olympus EVOLT E-510 is a full-featured, 10-megapixel digital SLR camera that was designed to accommodate photographers of any skill level. The E-510 features a “Live View” LCD that allows you to compose your shots using either the LCD or the optical viewfinder. The E-510’s bright 2.5-inch display, with approximately 230,000 pixels, uses “HyperCrystal” LCD technology offering many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors. Images are displayed in vivid color - both in preview and playback. The HyperCrystal LCD also provides a wide viewing angle, which ensures images can be composed from even the most obscure angles.

The E-510 employs Mechanical Image Stabilization, which compensates for camera movement. This new technology complements Digital Image Stabilization, which compensates for a moving subject. Combined, Mechanical Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization provide a powerful solution, ensuring blur-free photos even in active shooting situations where photographers may encounter camera shake or a moving subject. This powerful combination resides within the camera’s body, translating to blur-free images taken with any of the more than 30 digital-specific lenses.
Olympus’ Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter. The patented ultrasonic technology vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor, and captures the debris on a special adhesive membrane every time you turn on the camera. These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching photographs at the computer or sending their cameras back to the manufacturer to remove dust trapped inside.

All E-Series cameras support the “Four Thirds Standard” whereby Olympus and various other manufacturers produce high-quality Four Thirds-compliant lenses and accessories that are specifically designed for digital SLR image capture. Because the E-510 is part of the Olympus E-System, it is compatible with a large and growing range of Olympus E-System accessories to further enhance personal shooting styles and applications. This includes the full line-up of Zuiko Digital Specific lenses and flashes. The EVOLT system I reviewed is a Two Lens Outfit that included both 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Zuiko lenses. Both lenses are exceptionally compact and lightweight.

EVOLT E-510 Features

• Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens
• Supports CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot) memory cards
• Four-Thirds System lens mount for Zuiko Digital Specific lenses
• 10 million pixel image capture
• DCF, DPOF compatible/Exif, PRINT Image Matching III recording formats
• Eye-level single-lens reflex viewfinder, 95% field of view
• Live View MOS Sensor
• Phase-difference detection system Auto Focus
• 2.5″ HyperCrystal LCD monitor with 160° viewing angle
• Retractable flash (auto pop-up type), GN=12 (ISO 100.m
• Hot shoe for E System TTL flash units (FL20, FL36, FL50)
• Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting, Self-timer, Remote control
• Compact size - 5.35 in.(W) x 3.6 in. (W) x 2.67in. (D) / 136 mm (W) x 91.5 mm (H) x 68 mm (D) (excluding protrusions) weight 16.6 oz. (body only)
• Histogram (independent luminance/RGB available), Highlight/Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information
• EV 1 - 20 (Digital ESP metering, Center weighted average metering, Spot metering)
• AUTO / ISO 100 - 1600 (AUTO: Automatic control is available in AUTO, Program, A, Scene program, Scene select, Flash be fired. Up to ISO 800)
• JPEG editing in camera - Black & white, Sepia, Redeye fix, Saturation (color depth), Resize (producing another file)
• Supersonic Wave Filter (dust reduction system for image sensor)
• File format - RAW (12-bit), JPEG, RAW+JPEG
• USB 2.0 High Speed for storage and camera control (MTP mode is available), PictBridge direct-print compatible
• BLM-1 Li-ion battery