Olympus E-520

Review summary: If you're ready to replace your stripped-down entry-level DSLR, or taking a step up from the point and shoot world, the Olympus E-520 definitely deserves a hard look. It has all the features of any of its upper entry-level competition, and you just ...

Pros: 10MP resolution, Live View with autofocus, In-camera image stabilization, 2.7” 230,000 dot LCD

Verdict: The Olympus E-520 DSLR is Olympus' latest model in the upper entry-level...

Pros: Large LCD, Good build quality, Easy to adjust settings

Cons: Mediocre image quality, Slow speeds, No flash-off option on the mode dial

Verdict: Although the Olympus Evolt E-520 made a good first impression with its solid, ergonomic build and intuitive interface, it quickly lost points for its slow speeds and lackluster image quality. Although the Nikon D40's ($499) interface takes getting ...

Review summary: Olympus' latest Four Thirds standard DSLR is rich with great features. There's Live View, integral camera shake reduction, sensor cleaning and a resolution of 10-megapixels, and all for under £500

Pros: Image quality at medium ISOs, smallness, slick handling, effective sensor cleaning

Cons: Live View focusing twitchy and noisy, digital noise at high ISO settings

Verdict: In sum, this Olympus is a fine, attractively priced camera that deserves a closer look if you've a budget of £500 to spend. I think it's a little cracker.

Review summary: Our review of the Olympus E-520 has been completed using a production-level camera. Thank you for your patience!

Pros: Very good photo quality (though see issues below) ; Good value for the money ; doesn't feel "cheap ; Sensor-shift image stabilization ; Dust reduction system ; Live view with contrast detect AF and face detection (with some lenses) on a 2.7" LCD ...

Cons: Photos on the soft side, especially at high ISOs ; Images are noisy when noise filter is lowered ; banding at highest sensitivities ; Tends to clip highlights easily ; occasional overexposure ; Small optical viewfinder ; Slow contrast detect AF, ...

Verdict: If you purchase the E-520 lens kit, then you'll get Olympus' fairly new 14 - 42 mm lens. On the E-520 (and all other FourThirds cameras), that's equivalent to 28 - 84 mm. This is a pretty nice lens, as kit lenses go, with good sharpness and decent ...