Compare Prices : Olympus E-510 - Expert Reviews

Pros: Superb image quality ; Very reliable metering ; Excellent dynamic range ; RAW, JPEG and RAW+JPEG image formats ; Live View system ; Effective image stabilizer ; Supersonic sensor cleaning system

Cons: Only three AF areas ; Menu system a touch too complicated ; TTL viewfinder a bit too constricted

Review summary: Updated 12/23/08: While many digital SLRs priced under $1000 have severely limited features, Olympus's Evolt E-510 bucks the trend. Priced at $600 with a standard lens (as of 12/10/08), this 10-megapixel camera is designed for photo enthusiasts who ...

Pros: Live View mode to compose shots with LCD Supports both Compact Flash and xD cards

Cons: Difficult access to advanced functions No manual focus switch on lens

Verdict: Features wouldn't be worth much if the E-510's pictures weren't of high quality, and Olympus didn't disappoint in this respect either. Color fidelity and saturation were very good, and the E-510 handled most shooting conditions easily. At lower ISO ...

Review summary: Olympus delivers a well-rounded Four Thirds System digital SLR to the sub-$1,000 camera space. The EVOLT E-510, like the Pentax K10D I reviewed early this year, offers a balanced combination of technical features, usability, and customization that ...

Pros: Reasonably priced two-lens kit (as tested), Natural, film-like color balance, Excellent overall image quality, Sensor-based, mechanical image stabilization, Live view mode, Small, comfortable body and lenses, Two-lens kit is compact and lightweight, ...

Cons: Four Thirds aspect ratio may feel too square for some photographers, Very small viewfinder image, No erase function immediately after capture, Memory card door may open inadvertently, Customization may be excessive and confusing, Quick Erase function ...

Verdict: The Olympus EVOLT E-510 eventually won me over thanks to its overall usability and image quality. Because of my bias for a 3:2 aspect ratio, I often caught myself feeling that the E-510 somehow wasn't "serious enough" as a photographic tool. However, ...

Review summary: I have no problems recommending the Olympus Evolt E-510 two lens kit....

Pros: Solid 10MP D-SLR ; quick response ; Live View

Cons: Live View ; menu system needs updating

Review summary: This 10-megapixel, advanced enthusiast DSLR is a major improvement over the Evolt E-330 for sports action.