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Review Summary
2009-02-26T19:00:00
I moved up from my first Dslr, the Olympus E500, in order to get the image stabilization. I was not disappointed. I also enjoy the larger LCD and the information shown during image review that helps to adjust exposure. The new usb cable connection location is much easier to work with. The camera is easy to use but also has allowed me to become very creative as I learn the functions and their controls. With very little learning curve I was able to make quick changes to the settings to get the results I was after. Before getting a Dslr you should hold it in your hands to see how it feels. To me this one was far more comfortable and balanced than the others I tried.
CRB p.
2009-02-04T19:00:00
More bang for the buck, good lenses and the 4/3 is the future. I taken 100's of family portraits with the camera and it keeps on clicking. Shoot for magazines using several cameras at the same time, and have no trouble changing lenses quickly. With the dust buster feature, it is great not having to spot dust out of images. RAW is good, I don't like the noise reducer, prefer to turn it off and get sharper image at ISO 100.
JAMES D.
2009-01-07T19:00:00
First: Service from Adorama was outstanding as usual. CONS: A small sensor size (i.e. 4/3rds) will always have limitations over a larger sensor. The biggest CON of this camera is the poor image quality using high ISO speed. The pictures I’ve taken at ISO higher then 400 are definitely grainy. Lower then ISO400, the shutter speed may not be high enough to capture the motion you desire. (I was trying to capture ducks on a cloudy winter day with the Zuiko 70-300mm) Additionally the small sensor size means at a fixed focal length, cameras with larger sensors will have a wider angle. Thus, this is not the camera for super-wide angle photography. Over Christmas my dad purchased a Canon 50D which is 15 Mega-Pixels and has a APS-C sensor. If you calculate the pixel density (pixels/mm of sensor) both cameras have are the same (~218 pixels per mm). 4/3rds cameras are not the best if you are printing at a very large size. With only three autofocus points, performing still life compositions using a tripod may be a limitation. This is not the camera if you are interested in extremes (low light, super faster shutter speed, very large print size, super-wide angle photography. PROS: - The image stabilization works great, it makes the Zuiko 70-300 a useful lens. - The cost is significantly less then other the next grade-up of digital camera. This camera provides a lot of value for the price. - Much smaller then my Dad’s Canon 50D in both size and weight. Don’t be intimidated by my CON list. With the exception of only having 3 autofocus points, the other CONS are limitations of the 4/3rds sensor not of the camera itself. I am very pleased by this camera and have taken great pictures with it. This is a feature dense camera with lower cost, weight, and size then similar competitors. I recommend going to the Olympus web site and downloading the E-520 manual to learn more about this great camera.
JCozen
2008-12-17T19:00:00
I bought an Olympus E-Volt 500, two lens kit, and was extremely satisfied with it. I decided to upgrade and was hesitant after reading some of the comments by reviewers, but trusted Olympus from past experience also with film cameras. So far, it has been an absolutely great choice for the price. All the lenses, including my 70-300mm work fantastic. I updated my firmware for the camera and lenses and the pictures are stunning. I will upload some shortly to my pictures at [@]. by the way, I have bought several cameras and a lens from Adorama and have been throughly satisfied with their service.
LEE H.
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Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system
Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system
CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot)
17.3 mm (H) x 13.0 mm (V)
Four Thirds Mount
10 million pixels
Approx. 11.8 million pixels
1.33 (4:3)
Primary color filter (RGB)
Fixed type
Hybrid type
Supersonic Wave Filter (dust-reduction system for image sensor)
DCF, DPOF compatible/Exif, PRINT Image Matching III
RAW (12-bit), JPEG, RAW+JPEG
[RAW] 3648 x 2736 pixels
[JPEG] 3648 x 2736 pixels - 640 x 480 pixels
3648 x 2736 compressed Approx. 11MB
3648 x 2736 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 6.8MB
3648 x 2736 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 4.7MB
3648 x 2736 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 2.2MB
3648 x 2736 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 1.5MB
3200 x 2400 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 5.3MB
3200 x 2400 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 3.7MB
3200 x 2400 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 1.7MB
3200 x 2400 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 1.1MB
2560 x 1920 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 3.6MB
2560 x 1920 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 2.2MB
2560 x 1920 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 1.1MB
2560 x 1920 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.7MB
1600 x 1200 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 1.3MB
1600 x 1200 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.8MB
1600 x 1200 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB
1600 x 1200 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.3MB
1280 x 960 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.8MB
1280 x 960 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB
1280 x 960 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.3MB
1280 x 960 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.2MB
1024 x 768 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB
Eye-level single-lens reflex viewfinder
Approx. 95%
Approx.0.92x (-1m-1, 50mm lens, infinity)
Approx. 14 mm (-1m-1)
-3.0 - +1m-1
Fixed (Neo Lumi-Micro Mat screen)
Eyepiece cap EP-4 supplied
Interchangeable type. EP-5 supplied. Optional EP-6, EP-7, Magnifier eyecup ME-1 available.
Can be checked (when FN button is set in preview mode), selectable from the optical viewfinder or rear-mounted LCD monitor
Aperture value, Shutter speed, Record mode, AF confirmation mark, Flash, WB, AE lock, Number of storable still images, Exposure compensation value, Metering mode, Battery warning, Exposure mode, AF frame (super impose). IS activating mode
Live MOS Sensor for still picture shooting is used, 100% field of view, Exposure adjustment preview, White balance adjustment preview, Gradation setting preview, Face detection preview, Perfect Shot preview, Grid line displayable, 7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, Shooting information, Histogram, IS Activating mode
High-speed imager AF, Phase difference detection AF
Built-in (Imager shift image stabilizer)
3 modes
(2-dimensional activation (Horizontal + Vertical), 1-dimensional activation (Vertical), 1-dimensional activation (Horizontal)
Up to 4 EV steps maximum
HyperCrystal II LCD (semi-transmissive TFT color LCD)
2.7 inches
Approx. 230,000 pixels
100%
15 levels
15 levels
TTL phase difference detection system, contrast detection system (with 25mm f2.8, 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, 40-150mm f4.0-5.6)
Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF
3-point multiple AF with the phase difference detection system (Auto, selectable in option)
11-point multiple AF with the contrast detection system (Auto, selectable in option)
Auto/Option selectable
EV 0 to 19 (at 20°C, ISO 100)
Built-in flash (on/off selectable), external flash available
Locked at first position of Shutter button in Single AF mode / AEL button (customizable)
Interlocked with Continuous AF mode
Available
TTL open-aperture metering system
(1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multipattern metering); (2) Center-weighted average metering; (3) Spot metering (approx. 2% of the viewfinder screen); (4) Spot with Highlight control; (5) Spot with Shadow control
EV 1 - 20 (Digital ESP metering, Center-weighted average metering, Spot metering) (At normal temperature, 50mm f2, ISO 100)
(1) Auto; (2) P: Program AE (Program shift can be performed); (3) A: Aperture priority AE; (4) S: Shutter priority AE; (5) M: Manual; (6) Scene program AE; (7) Scene select AE
Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sport, Night + Portrait
Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, Sport, High Key, Low Key, Digital Image Stabilization, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Panorama (requires Olympus xD-Picture Card media), Beach & Snow, Underwater Wide, Underwater Macro
AUTO (ISO 100 - 1600) / Manual (ISO 100 - 1600), 1 EV steps
+/-5 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable
Locked by first position of Shutter button / AEL button (customizable)
3 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 EV steps selectable
Advanced detection system with Live MOS sensor
8 settings (3000K - 7500K): Lamp (3000K), Fluorescent 1 (4000K), Fluorescent 2 (4500K), Fluorescent 3 (6600K), Daylight (5300K), Cloudy (6000K), Shade (7500K)
+/-7 steps in each A-B/G-M axis (in Auto WB/Preset WB mode)
1 temperature setting can be registered in degrees Kelvin (2000K - 14000K)
1 custom setting can be registered
sRGB, Adobe RGB
Vivid, Natural (default setting), Muted, Portrait, Monotone, Custom
Contrast, Sharpness and Saturation level available in 5 steps for Vivid, Natural, Muted and Portrait
Contrast and Sharpness level available in 5 steps for Monotone
Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available for Monotone
Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone
4 levels (Auto, high key, normal, low key)
Computerized focal-plane shutter
Auto mode: 2 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings), P(Ps), S, A, M mode: 60 - 1/4000 sec. (Bulb: up to 30 min. with limiter), Scene program/Scene select mode: 4 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings) 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable
Operation time: 12 sec., 2 sec. (cancel available)
Available (with optional RM-UC1 Remote Cable)
Operation time: 2 sec., 0 sec., bulb control available (with optional RM-1 Remote Control)
Available (1 to 30 sec. selectable)
Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting, Self-timer, Remote control
Approx. 3.5 frames/sec.
RAW mode: Max. 8 frames
JPEG mode: Depends on compression ratio and no. of pixels (LN mode: approx. up to card capacity with SanDisk Extreme III 1GB)
Retractable flash (Auto pop-up type), GN=12 (ISO 100.m)
FL-50R, FL-36R, FL-50, FL-36, FL-20
FL-50R, FL-36R, FL-50, FL-36, FL-20
TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual
Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow synchronization, Fill-in, Manual (1/4, 1/16, 1/64), Off.
1/180 sec. or less, Super FP up to 1/4000 sec.
Up to +/-2 EV in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps
1st curtain synchronization/2nd curtain slow synchronization (selectable)
3 frames in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1 EV steps selectable
Triggered and controlled by built-in flash light
TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual, FP TTL Auto, FP Manual
4 channels
3 groups
Battery information, Exposure mode, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure compensation value, ISO sensitivity, Exposure compensation indicator, Exposure indicator, Flash intensity compensation indicator, Date, BKT setting, NR setting, WB, WB compensation value, Picture mode, Flash mode, Record mode, Image size, Card information, Drive mode, Flash intensity compensation value, Metering mode, Recordable still image number, Focusing mode, FP warning, AF frame
Exposure mode, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure compensation indicator, Exposure compensation value, Flash compensation indicator, Flash compensation value, ALE notification, Flash compensation notification, NR notification, BKT notification, AF illuminator deactivated notification, Color space, IS activating mode, Wireless channel setting, Built-in flash intensity, Group setting
Back light lighting time is selectable (Keep, 8 sec., 30 sec., 1 min.)
Single-frame, Index (4/9/16/25/49/100 frames), Calendar, Close-up ( 2 - 14X), Slideshow, Picture rotation (auto mode available), Light box
Histogram (independent luminance/RGB available), Highlight/Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information
Americas: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Fn button is available to set 10 functions: Face detection, Preview, Live preview, One-touch WB, AF home position, MF, Record mode, Test picture, My mode, Off
Drive button is available to set six functions: Drive, AF target selection, AF mode, WB mode, Metering mode, ISO setting)
2 settings are recordable
2 settings are recordable
Single frame, All frames, Selected frames (with protect function)
Single frame, Selected frames, Release protect (Single/All selected)
Single frame, All frames, Selected frames
RAW development
Shadow Adjustment, Red-eye fix, Triming, Monotone, Sepia, Saturation (color depth), Resize (producing another file)
Print reservation (DPOF), Direct print (PictBridge compatible)
High Speed USB for storage and camera control (MTP mode is available)
Dedicated multi-connector (Video: NTSC/PAL selectable, Optional remote cable RM-UC1 is available)
Hot shoe
BLM-1 Li-ion battery (included)
Available (1, 3, 5, 10 min., Off selectable)
Approx. 650 shots (optical viewfinder)
32-104 °F / 0 - 40 °C (operation)
-4 - 140 °F/ -20 - 60 °C (storage)
30 - 90% (operation) / 10 - 90% (storage)
5.4 in. (W) x 3.6 in.(H) x 2.7 in. D / 136 mm (W) x 91.5 mm (H) x 68 mm (D) (excluding protrusions)
16.8 oz. / 475 g (body only)
Olympus 1 year limited warranty
050332163959
Excellent camera at an excellent praice!
By LEE H.
I bought an Olympus E-Volt 500, two lens kit, and was extremely satisfied with it. I decided to upgrade and was hesitant after reading some of the comments by reviewers, but trusted Olympus from past experience also with film cameras. So far, it has been an absolutely great choice for the price. All the lenses, including my 70-300mm work fantastic. I updated my firmware for the camera and lenses and the pictures are stunning. I will upload some shortly to my pictures at [@]. by the way, I hav...
View full Review
Fine Camera
By JCozen
First: Service from Adorama was outstanding as usual. CONS: A small sensor size (i.e. 4/3rds) will always have limitations over a larger sensor. The biggest CON of this camera is the poor image quality using high ISO speed. The pictures I’ve taken at ISO higher then 400 are definitely grainy. Lower then ISO400, the shutter speed may not be high enough to capture the motion you desire. (I was trying to capture ducks on a cloudy winter day with the Zuiko 70-300mm) Additionally the smal...
View full Review
The Olympus E-520 is a 10.0 Megapixel digital SLR camera body. The E-520's industry-leading Image Stabilization technology, which is built into the camera body, compensates for movement so you can capture blur-free shots with any lens - even at slow shutter speeds. Autofocus Live View brings subjects into sharp focus; it is the perfect tool for macro, portrait or even landscape shooting. This camera was built to produce amazing results for photo hobbyists and serious digital photographers alike.
The E-520's in-body Mechanical Image Stabilization has three modes for increased versatility. The IS-1 mode 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.
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