Olympus has launched the E-520, an update of its E-510 digital SLR camera released in June last year. The key new features in the Olympus E-520 include in-body image stabilizer with a compensation effect of up to 4 EV steps allowing image stabilization shooting across a wide range from super-wide-angle to super telephoto at up to 33x, enhanced "Live View" shooting with new "High-Speed Imager AF", "Face & Back Control" for clearer reproduction of both faces and backgrounds, as well as a new 10-megapixel Live MOS Sensor and TruePic III image processing engine.
Other features of the Olympus E-520 include: Dust Reduction System, 3.5 frames-per-second sequential shooting, Built-in flash with wireless flash control, Continuous AF mode with improved focus tracking, 11-point multi-area auto focusing, "Perfect Shot Preview" function to compare the results of various effects before actual shooting, ISO Sensitivity up to 1600, and a new 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD monitor with improved visibility in Live View shooting and picture playback.
- 10-megapixel Live MOS Sensor
- TruePic III image processing engine
- In-body image stabilizer
- 11-point multi-area auto focusing
- 9-point Multi-Pattern Metering available as well as centre-weighted average metering and spot metering
- ISO Sensitivity up to 1600
- Dust Reduction System
- 3.5 frames-per-sec. sequential shooting
- Built-in flash with wireless flash control
- 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD monitor with improved visibility in Live View shooting and picture playback
- 5 scene programme modes and 20 scene select mode available
- "Perfect Shot Preview" function to compare the results of various effects before actual shooting
- Continuous AF mode with improved focus tracking
- Super Control Panel with excellent visibility and operability
Olympus E-520 Reviews
CameraLabs has reviewed the Olympus E-520 and they write –
“So while it’s disappointing Olympus hasn’t made any major changes, like boosting the resolution, improving the AF system, enlarging the viewfinder, or fitting a flip-out screen, it’s testament to the earlier E-510’s specs that by making a few small enhancements, the E-520 remains a serious contender. Indeed while the competition now offers some key features you should carefully weigh-up, we can still confidently award the E-520 the Highly Recommended rating of its predecessor. If you’re shopping for a new DSLR at this price-point, it should be on your shortlist.”
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DigitalCameraReview has reviewed the Olympus E-520 and they write –
“Out of all of this, the obvious concern about the E-520’s versatility may be that it tries to do too much without ever landing cleanly in a niche or target market. That said, although I never fully connected with its odd yet somehow highly functional mixture of beginner swag and advanced-am swagger, the Olympus E-520 delivers crisp, colorful shots that are hard to argue with. And for aspiring photographers shopping in the sub-$1000 segment of the market, that may be a convincing enough bottom line in itself.”
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Biofos has reviewed the Olympus E-520 and they write –
“It’s a little too early to conclude anything yet other than the E-520 appears to have the potential of being a world beating camera in its class. There’s a few things I want to check out further such as noise at raised ISO and the effect of noise reduction and Shadow Adjustment Technology. But if it performs anything like the E-3 it will be fine.
The cameras general performance causes me no distress at all. It is fast and responsive and has a super selection of dial, button and menu access to satisfy every level of users. I’m pleased to see mirror lock-up (I think all DSLR’s should have this facility as mirrors ’slap’ causing body vibrations); its absence was a huge disappointment with the E-400.
I have enjoyed my week with the camera so far and am looking forward to fine tuning this review with some in-depth study of more images. But, suffice to say so far I have no real issues to report, this is a great machine.”
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TrustedReviews has reviewed the Olympus E-520 and they write –
“This isn’t a major upgrade by any means and wouldn’t warrant a switch from the E-510, but if you’re looking for a feature packed midrange DSLR, the E-520 is worth considering. The improvements, particularly the new image stabilization mode and autofocus accuracy of Live Modes show that these important technologies are still being perfected, and the latest versions on the E-520 are pretty much as good as they get at the moment.
Olympus still has problems with noise though, and this is letting down the full potential of the four-thirds system. As the push towards higher resolution continues, and competitors offer 15MP at similar price points, Olympus is going to encounter further difficulties as the photosites get smaller potentially leading to more noise. This can be seen with all of its 10MP models, and the E-520 is no exception.”
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ePhotozine has reviewed the Olympus E-520 and they write –
“First impressions are important, as that’s where most of us make a decision in the camera shop. As soon as I picked up the camera I was on the wrong footing. Had someone forgot to add the meat to the flesh? The light weight sent out the wrong signal. Then I tried Live View and was instantly disappointed by the slow focusing speed. Yes it’s one of the few that has AF in Live View but I couldn’t help wanting something that didn’t hunt around while using it. And to top it all I got confused with the menu system.
It took me a while to become familiar with the Olympus E3 and as I had’t handled that for a while I’d forgotten the different system. So It’s not going well. But then as I start to take photos, switch off Live View and get back to using the real camera I begin to see that there’s a very impressive set of features housed in a mid-priced camera. “
Olympus E-520 News Release
Everything Comes Into Focus With Olympus E-520 Digital SLR: Advanced In-Body Image Stabilization And Autofocus Live View Deliver Sharp Images
In-Body Image Stabilization Steadies Any Lens; Take-Anywhere Portable Design Means You’ll Capture It All
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 13, 2008 – 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.
"Beyond a successor, the Olympus E-520 features an array of new technologies that help photo hobbyists and serious digital photographers take remarkable images,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager – DSLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Its image stabilization system now lets photographers pan while holding the portable camera vertically – perfect for capturing everything from a sprinter breaking from the pack to the bride and groom walking down the aisle."
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 animals, and other moving subjects, the E-520 offers two specialized modes. IS-2 mode is ideal for capturing a racecar flying down the track, preserving the sense of motion while panning with the moving subject and holding the camera horizontally to dramatically portray the car’s high speed. For sharp images of moving subjects like a basketball player charging up the court, the IS-3 mode allows a photographer to hold the camera vertically while panning. The artistic effects of panning enhance the shot and render the player in sharp detail with blurred background.
The Live View Experience
The portable E-520’s advanced autofocus Live View enables photographers to compose their images and bring them into sharp focus on the HyperCrystal II LCD – just like a point-and-shoot camera. By simply pressing the shutter button halfway, subjects come into focus on the LCD, so when the perfect moment occurs it is easy to compose, focus and capture sharp images while viewing on the LCD. Live View makes it possible to shoot upward from a low angle for dramatic composition, in close for detailed macro photos of an exotic insect, or over a crowd of people at a tennis tournament.
New and Improved HyperCrystal II LCD
The E-520’s viewable HyperCrystal II LCD is the key to its Live View capabilities. While some LCD screens force photographers to squint to preview images in bright sunlight or a dimly lit room, the E-520 features a large, bright 2.7-inch LCD display that incorporates new technology. It also offers twice the contrast for better viewing in extreme light conditions, a larger color gamut that displays a greater range of color detail, and a 176-degree viewing angle.
Always Find a Face in the Crowd
The E-520’s Face Detection reduces the chance of blurred subjects in photography by distinguishing between people’s faces and the background. It tracks up to eight faces within the image area even if people are moving and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures.
In Sunshine or the Shadows, Never Miss a Detail
Shooting scenes with shadows can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark and bright areas. The E-520 addresses this challenge with Shadow Adjustment Technology that compensates for extreme contrast and maintains visible detail in both the shadow and highlight areas of the scene. Now users can preview and capture images showing the shadow detail they saw. This feature is also available in the Edit menu after the shot has been taken.
Preview a Multitude of Possibilities
Perfect Shot Preview enables users to preview and select from a variety of thumbnail previews of the photographic effects of white balance and exposure compensation adjustments live on the LCD before taking the photograph. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, visually, without having to scroll through menu options. With 20 preset scene-select modes for every imaginable shooting scenario from underwater photography to fireworks, and program, automatic modes and full manual controls, the E-520 offers a world of possibilities to photographers.
Experience Life under the Sea
Olympus will offer the PT-E05 optional underwater housing for the E-520 to allow photographers to document the richness of life in the depths. Capable of reaching depths of 130 feet underwater, the housing will ensure that divers will not miss an image during their journeys to the abyss. Special underwater scene modes on the E-520 will assure that the camera is set up correctly for underwater use.
Wireless Flash Capability
Sometimes wireless flashes can help photographers cast the best light on their subjects and capture great images. For this reason, the E-520 is compatible with the Olympus FL-50R and FL-36R wireless electronic flashes that are designed exclusively for digital photography. When these flashes are used in combination with the E-520, wireless multi-flash photography is possible. The E-520 can control up to three wireless flash groups independently, with multiple flash units in each group.
TruePic III for Image Clarity & Speed
The 10.1 megapixel E-520’s TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal-clear photos using all of the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible for every photo with accurate color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal representation in between. TruePic III also lowers image noise by one step to reduce graininess in images shot at higher ISO settings, enabling great results in low-light situations.
Dust Reduction System for Spot-Free Images
Life moves too fast to spend time worrying about dust ruining the perfect image. Olympus’ proven 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 it on a special adhesive membrane every time the camera is turned on. 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.
Easy to Handle, Easy to Operate
The E-520 is extremely portable, measuring 5.35 inches (width) by 3.6 inches (height) and 2.68 inches (depth), excluding protrusions, and weighing 16.75 ounces (body only). The new camera has a classic penta-mirror design that is light and compact enough to shoot with all day. It features a comfortable ergonomic grip to ensure that the camera fits snugly in the hand. Beyond its portable size, the E-520 has an expanded menu for greater control and buttons on the body for quick and easy direct access to the most common settings. Accepting both CompactFlash Type I & II, Microdrives and xD-Picture Cards, the camera provides a choice of data-storage options for enhanced flexibility, and it is possible to transfer image files from one card to the other right inside the camera.
100% Digital-Specific Lens for Sharpness and Rich Colors
The E-520 outfit includes a compact, Zuiko Digital 28-84mm equivalent (ED 14–42 mm Four Thirds) f3.5–f5.6 lens that perfectly matches the imager so light strikes the sensor directly to ensure rich, accurate colors and edge-to-edge sharpness. Its 3x ED Glass zoom lens covers the range most frequently used in photography and weighs just 7.5 ounces, offering users an extremely dynamic, portable, everyday-use zoom. Close-ups as near as 9.84 inches (0.25 m) are possible throughout the zoom range. This lens is part of Olympus’ expanding line of 100 percent digital lenses – designed specifically for digital photography. Unlike other camera companies, Olympus does not rely on old film lenses, which often result in images with soft edges or other imperfections.
Availability
The Olympus E-520 Digital SLR will be available in July 2008. It includes: E-520 Body, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLM-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCM-2), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM, Manuals and Warranty Card.
U.S. Pricing/Product Configurations
E-520 body Estimated Street Price: $599.99
E-520 with ED 14–42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens Estimated Street Price: $699.99