Compare Prices : Olympus E-510 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The promise of compact Four Thirds SLRs was finally fulfilled with the launch of the Olympus E-400 a year ago. That model has been superseded by the E-410 and is now joined by this, the excellent E-510

Pros: Great features for the money, Good all-round performance

Cons: Needs two selection dials, Mode dial and card door could be better made

Verdict: The E-510 won't oust Canon and Nikon from the top slots, but it is a return to form for Olympus and offers great value when bought as a twin-lens kit

Review summary: It may have a plastic mount but the 14-42mm kit lens is a star performer. It's sharp, contrasty and commendably low on chromatic aberration

Pros: Higher resolution than the 30D, 1/8000sec max shutter speed, Live View mode and custom settings option, Great features for the money, Good all-round performance

Cons: Resolution the same as the entry-level 400D, Still not full frame, Some menu idiosyncrasies, Needs two selection dials, Mode dial and card door could be better made

Verdict: The SuperSonic Wave Filter shakedown dislodges any dust that might have settled on the sensor and it's probably the most effective mechanical sensor-cleaning method offered by any camera manufacturer

Review summary: As the flagship of Olympus' DSLR lineup, the EVOLT E-510 comes with a hefty set of features. The E-510 woos serious hobbyists with 10 megapixels, built-in mechanical image stabilization, dual CompactFlash and xD-Picture card slots, and a dust ...

Pros: - Small size- Enlarged live view - Image stabilization- Dust control system

Cons: - Outdated autofocus system - Small optical viewfinder- Flimsy kit lens - Slow projected burst speed

Verdict: Olympus is steadily improving its Four-Thirds cameras. We like the styling and operation of the EVOLT E-510 much more than the E-330. We don't know about the EVOLT E-510's image quality, but there was a significant jump in quality from the E-300 to ...

Review summary: Although not without flaws, the Olympus E-510 and Olympus E-410 bring Olympus' DSLR cameras in line with the competition. While previous Olympus DSLR cameras featured noticeably more noise than other brands, the E-510 shows less image noise than its ...

Pros: Generally low image noise until ISO 400, Noise reduction under user control selects between increased noise and detail retention

Cons: Colors oversaturated by default, High-ISO noise reduction introduces above average image softness

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: The Four Thirds system grows up

Verdict: The Olympus E-series continues to get better and better. The E-510 is a superb photographer's camera, offering superb handling, outstanding performance, a huge degree of control and first rate picture quality, in a compact and robust package and at a ...