Olympus Evolt E510 10MP Digital SLR Camera with CCD Shift Image Stabilization and 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Zuiko Lenses Reviews

• Great, but with serious flaws

  
  By A3HMZ02QZDUOW0 on 2007-08-25
  I've liked Olympus point and shoot cameras as well their film SLRs so I couldn't wait to get the E-510. It's a delight. The ample control fit my hands well and are in the right places. The menuing system is great. I thought that thanks to my less than great old eyes I'd use the LCD for composing most of the time. I was wrong. The viewfinder is simply wonderful and I use it 95% of the time. I love the ability to reuse my many old XD cards as well as the CompactFlash (BTW: get an Extreme IV CF - you won't believe the speed). Overall, I'm delighted. So what's not so great. Well, the build quality. I had the camera out on a Florida evening that was quite humid. The next morning the LCD was full of what looked like water droplets and the shutter was dead. This camera wasn't ever near a source of water, just very humid air. It needs to go back and Olympus suggests from leaving here to getting it back will 3 to 4 weeks. This camera isn't 4 weeks old. Plus to get that speed I get to pay FedExs or UPS both ways. So even if they do the repair under warranty I'm out $50 to $100. That doesn't make me a happy consumer. BTW, if you get an E-410 or E-510 get the two lens kit. It's a huge bargain.
  
  

• A real winner from Olympus

  
  By AJHQF1OSIU6LR on 2007-06-12
  Here are my initial thoughts on this Olympus. The E510 makes its predecessor (the E500) proud. This camera will definitely keep the DSLR competition honest and only benefit us consumers! I am thrilled to-date. (3 days with it)
  
  PROS
  * Image Stabilization
  * Great Construction, feels well made
  * Light weight (lighter than my friend's Pentax K100)
  * Phenomenal Kit Lenses
  * Lightning fast AF with 2 very good & light Zuiko kit lenses
  * Image quality, lower noise at higher ISOs
  * Great battery life (500+ photos in mixed shooting conditions)
  * Image sensor dust removal (at bootup)
  * Both CF and xD cards
  
  CONS
  * Not a con, but Live View is quirky. When I use a DSLR I prefer to use the viewer, but I can see how some folks would LOVE to use the LCD. Its more of personal thing and if you dont want to use the LCD you just don't.
  * No others yet
  
  

• A dSLR that both a pro and a consumer can enjoy alike

  
  By A376FR702QJ5ZU on 2007-07-21
  I have had this camera for about a month and after using this, I felt compelled to write this review, especially after seeing some comments from first time SLR owners.
  
  My advice to them, please think carefully before buying a dSLR. If all you are going to do is set this camera in Auto mode and shoot, you are making a mistake, an expensive mistake. E-510 or any other dSLR is not designed to excel in this department, definitely not as good as an advanced P&S.
  
  If you want better image quality (color, dynamic range, low noise at high ISO, interchangeable lens etc) and convenience (IS, more buttons, speed), DSLR is the way to go. With power, comes the responsibility. You should also be ready to take the challenge of trying out different settings and spend some time in post processing the RAW images. You can get dynamic range that no P&S can match, if and only if, you are ready to spend the time on it. JPEGs straight from camera will not be significantly better, unless you tweak the settings for each situation perfectly.
  
  Most complaints about this camera are about focusing, under or over exposure. You have to learn how an SLR camera works. There are different metering and focusing modes and you have to choose carefully. Also you have to decide whether to shoot aperture priority or shutter priority based on situations. You can also choose whether to shoot for high key or shadow areas.
  
  No SLR in auto mode can give you a perfect shot of a person when the sun is behind him/her. Either use the proper P mode, or you use spot metering (or at least fill flash).
  
  When something is moving, shooting with slow shutter will also result in blurry image and an SLR expects that the person behind the view finder knows these basics. So my advice is, read the manual and try out all the options and find the modes that suit your needs.
  
  Also, the default ESP metering on this camera is a bit off. It's actually set to ESP + AF in factory. In my experience, if you change Menu2 > Metering to ESP, it works better. You might also consider turning the Noise Filter off for ISO 100 shots. It makes the images sharper (even with sharpness -2) and you can get details that you can't get in any other entry level camera at this moment. But, you might get some visible grains.
  
  What I like -
  
  1. IS, all my lenses are stabilized and I can get sharp shots sometimes at 1/30 when using focal length of 300mm in 35mm equivalent.
  
  2. Clean high ISO, up to 800 is completely usable with little noise reduction. ISO 1600 gives you better or same results compared to other brands, only Canon is half stop ahead.
  
  3. Image quality. The details with noise filter off, the color and the sharpness are wonderful. The dynamic range is not best in it's class, but with RAW files and a little time with Lightroom, it's not really an issue.
  
  4. SSWF. The dust buster in this camera works, unlike other brands (read Canon/Sony/Pentax). Never got a single dust peck on the sensor and I change lenses frequently.
  
  5. Live view. This is the only one in this class at the moment to have this feature. Another Olympus model, E-330 has it, but it was too expensive. This feature really helps when you have time and your eyes are tired. Also when you are shooting macro in an awkward position or using a manual focus lens and want to do precise focusing with the live view magnifier. This is a life saver for me that I can still use old manual focus lenses.
  
  6. The size, weight and ergonomics. With the kit lenses you get 28-300mm range covered and NO OTHER brand can get you this quality in this size and weight. D40x is as good in handling, but lack of IS (and the price/weight of their VR lenses) was a deal breaker.
  
  7. Speed. It's always ready for next shot. In drive mode, you can get 3 frames a second unlimited in HQ JPEG. With RAW, it's limited to 10 shots at the same speed and after that speed reduces to around 1.6 fps. Better than most in it's class if you have a fast card. I don't miss a shot these days due to camera.
  
  What I don't like -
  
  1. Though viewfinder is brighter than some previous Olympus models, it could be bigger. LV helps, but it's not usable always. A small issue considering my eyes aren't too bad.
  
  2. Focus confirmation using manual focus lenses. Though I didn't buy this camera for this purpose, it would have helped a lot. Especially when Panasonic L1 and Pentax models have it, it's just a software fix they have to do so I am hoping they'll release a firmware with this fix.
  
  These are just minor gripes and the second one is easily fixable. All in all, I would say this camera is a winner in the hands of a little experienced person, but a new owner will just need some time to get to know this little gem. IMO, it's the best camera in it's class today if you can live with the "Made in China" sticker on it.
  
  
  

• Oympus E-510 D-SLR

  
  By ABZC1IMG6YYLR on 2007-10-06
  As a professional photographer I have used Cannon and Nikon cameras. I purchased an Olympus E-500 two years ago and was impressed with the sharpness, color capture, and other features. Needing a second camera I tested several Cannon and Nikon pro-level cameras. I found the Olympus E-510 equal or superior to each in edge-to-edge sharpness and color capture using color charts and sharpness charts. Additionally, the ease of use of the E-510 was a contributing factor. I am also impressed with the four-thirds system lenses produced by Olympus; they weigh less then their equivalent lenses in the Cannon or Nikor lines and I feel give better edge-to-edge sharpness. The only negative is the narrow line of pro-level lens in the Olympus line.
  
  I recommended the E-500 to my photography students and now I'll recommend the E-510 as the cost factor is important to students. If you are looking for a solid D-SLR I highly recommend the E-510. I suggest that consideration be given to purchasing the Olympus "high-grade" lenses rather then the kit lens for the advanced photographer. The kit lenses are fine for the consumer.
  
  

• Great camera

  
  By A321UWX6A3K66B on 2007-07-10
  I got this camera after reviewing & trying out several different brands at local stores. Compared with the others, the only one I liked better in the hand was the N80, which is considerably more expensive & lacks anti-dust & body-based image stabilization. The viewfinder on this camera is smaller than you're used to if you've shot 35mm SLRs for years, but it's not bad.
  
  Now that I've been using this for a couple of weeks, I like it even more. The body-based image stabilization works well, I can hand-hold the long lens of the set (150mm) for a 1/20 second shot, and it comes out very clear, no visible shake. I can't really comment on the usefulness of the anti-dust capabilities, but have switched out lenses several times, & no dust spots are apparent on my shots. Image quality is great, but the Oly software is worthless. Terrible UI, and the included software that can do decent post-processing of the raw files is trial only. Photoshop Elements w/ Adobe's raw processing & batch conversion from the camera's ORF files to DNG's works great for me. The kit lenses are good, very comparable to old Zuiko lenses from the manual focus 35mm days. Fewer lenses are available for this system than for e.g. Canon or Nikon, but most of the needed lenses are out there. Only thing I really miss is a good fast prime (25mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 would be very appreciated, Oly!) Overall, I'm totally pleased w/ this camera & would recommend it.
  
  
• I've waited 10+ years for this camera
  By A63O2IU2DO3MK on 2007-06-21
  When I first saw this camera I fell in love with its compact form factor. After reading the full hands-on of the E410 from dpreview I pulled the trigger (since I'm on vacation this week). Just got back from Yosemite, shooting in automatic mode at SHQ (3648x2736) operation was easy even though I'm a DSLR newbie and I was mostly hiking not photogging.
  
  Performance is quite phenomenal compared to my Camedia from 1998. . . I tried doing quick panos by shooting in full auto (~3fps) and just spinning in place (taking around 25 frames in 8 seconds). Two panos this way came out great, the third one I started on a shadowed area so the rest came out overexposed.
  
  I've got the 8GB Extreme IV CF card in it, so the camera has a capacity of ~1000 SHQ shots.
  
  Battery life so far is decent; one charge lasted all day yesterday, at least.
  
  Zoom range on the shorter kit lens was acceptable. Due to the dusty environment I didn't pack the longer one.
  
  
• Low light focusing - Olympus, do you hear?
  By A2FVVXVOJS3ZM8 on 2007-08-30
  I would give this camera five and a half stars, really, if not for one issue.
  And a pretty serious one.
  
  But first the good news: the camera is great.
  It works blazing fast, controls are excellent and so is the level of control.
  All important SLR options, all those many competitors usually "reserve" for "professional" models - like all metering modes, auto ISO limit, custom WB, mirror anti shock, remote control capability, manual focusing after AF and even shutter release priorities - are there.
  Anti-dust system and set of two lens gives you worry free 28-300 (10.7x) range, image stabilization works surprisingly good, widely rumored problem of dynamic range that is half EV below the competition is not visible in 99.95% of the pictures. The rest 0.05% requires microscope and 100% zoom to point out the blown out highlight.
  
  All things considered - an excellent camera and value for money.
  
  Of course, there are many things one may complain about, like slow kit lens (and fast lens are available, but expensive) or aggressive noise filter at high ISO (and it could be turned off) or one second delay at start up (never bothered me much) etc. But all these issues are pretty minor and every camera has list of them.
  
  ***
  Now the bad news - low light focusing. I just do not understand that.
  Here it is: below certain light level camera just struggles to get focus. That level is somewhat below standard living room illumination - so it does not bother many people in standard situations, but try to shoot at the dark bar or at the street in the evening - and change in camera behavior is dramatic. Suddenly it may take several seconds before focus is locked - way too long. Using flash to illuminate target does not help much - flash keeps strobing and strobing and strobing again and finally, when focus is locked it takes additional second to charge it for the shot. I rarely meet people who would stand still for that long... They think I made three pictures of them already, when I accomplished, well, none!
  
  I perfectly understand the technical issue of focusing in low light, but... I am old Olympus E10 owner - and it have never bothered me much with this issue. Cheap Canon A70 have never bothered me with this issue either - well at least nobody expects performance from $200 compact camera.
  May be these old cameras are not trying to get perfect focus when they cannot, may be they limiting time to some reasonable interval - I do not know, but Olympus should fix the problem. It is a show stoppers.
  
  For now I turn off AF illumination and switch to shutter release priority in low light situations - but I need to recognize it first. I prefer to have slightly out-of-focus pictures, than no pictures at all. Olympus, do you hear?
  
  
• An excellent kit to anchor your DSLR system
  By A31OP2SR2I5DJQ on 2007-12-10
  If you are reading this review, you are probably lost amongst all the DSLR choices, and wondering which way to go. If you are a pro, you will have already made up your mind to either buy this Olympus because you are interested in the Four-Thirds format, or you will be buying a Canon, Nikon or what-have-you because you have 3k invested in lenses. Fortunately, you can't go wrong with any of the major brands. There are variations of excellence, and some choices for features. For instance, the Pentax K10 is recognized as having good dust protection.
  
  The particular features of the E-510 are:
  - Four-Thirds format (do a google or wikipedia search on that)
  - slightly more compact than other DSLRs
  - "Live View" target image viewing on the rear LCD
  - decent quality kit lenses
  - 10MB sensor (other starter DSLRs are mostly 6-8MB, although still excellent sensors)
  - Image stabilization
  
  Technical reviews on photo sites such as popphoto rate this camera as excellent. But then, all the major brands perform to a very high level these days.
  
  The auto-focus is rated as fast, but in low light it is slow, and takes up to 3 seconds while it blinks the flash continuously. Subtle it is not. Its automatic sensor cleaning on startup and shutdown apparently works, which is just as well because dust tightness is very poor while changing lenses.
  
  The top and rear of the body are festooned with buttons for easy access to many common functions. Other features are accessed through the usual menu system on the rear LCD. There is no movie mode. Overall I have found the camera easy to learn and use. My wife is non-technical and has no problem getting good pictures in point-n-shoot mode. If in doubt, go "wide", because you can crop into a 10MB shot forever.
  
  If you have chosen the E-510, you are probably wondering whether to buy the body only, the 1-lens or the 2-lens kit. When you buy an SLR, you are buying extensibility and potential. If you only ever use one lens, and never upgrade the built-in flash, you really might as well buy a compact. I went with the 2-lens kit, because even though both lenses have direct upgrades available (for a price!) the kit was a great value, and I might take kit lenses where there is a chance they might get knocked.
  
  As with any DSLR, then, the kit is just the starting point. You must immediately budget around $50+ for a memory card, $20+ for a gadget bag, $25 or so for a spare battery (Duracell has one), a $35 good quality clear filter for each lens for protection (a MUST!), and a lens brush. This is over $100, all of which you will spring for in the first week. After that, if you never get a flash upgrade ($150-350+), an additional lens ($200++) and a mono- or tripod ($50+), then buy a compact. This may sound like a lot of money, but actually Olympus addons, especially the flash and lenses, are good value.
  
  If you are choosing between the 410 and 510, only the 510 has image stabilization, which is built into the body and so works with all lenses. I.S. is decent but it will not fix sloppy handling in dim rooms. The 410 is even more compact, and is also more dust tight, and $100 cheaper.
  
  Some folks buy DSLRs because they are neat, and a bit of a status symbol compared to your average compact. You can spot these types because they have the camera, one lens, and the built-in flash. You are really buying into a system, and a large and bulky system at that, if you are going to realize many of the benefits.
  
  EDIT 1: New favorite button: exposure compensation, right next to the shutter release. Press it, then twiddle the knob under your thumb to quickly adjust exposure.
  
  EDIT 2: For a few days, buy the flash too. There is an excellent rebate available right now.
  
  
• Not Disappointed
  By APK9H34NUVHKA on 2007-07-05
  Have had this kit for a week now and am throughly pleased with my purchase and Amazon's service. I ordered the kit Sunday evening, paid $8 for 3-5 business day shipping, and it arrived Wednesday afternoon, 2 days in my book. I am a noob at digital SLR photography, though I have used older film SLRs, and was able to get some amazing fireworks shots last night using the 40-150mm lens on a tripod (M-mode, 8s, F16, ISO 100, SHQ JPeg).
  
  I am totally amazed at how easy it is to change settings. The buttons are well placed, at least for me, and the menus are very intuitive. I "glanced" through the manual before the camera arrived and began shooting as soon as the battery was charged. I've had nothing but fun, none of the usual frustrations with something new.
  
  It's a lot of money, but I can't believe it won't last me many, many years and the kit lenses are very good, though I'm already drooling for the EC14 (and an EC20 would be even better to double the range).
  
  If there is one negative I can think of it's getting used to shooting with 4x6 prints in mind. Oly uses a 4x3 format and that doesn't translate directly to a 4x6 sheet of paper. Mind you, I don't print often, but it's something to consider, especially if some of your family/friends are computer shy. :)
  
  The other negative might be the Master 2 software. It is painfully slow, but does a good job for free software. I personally use Picasa for most things and Paint Shop Pro when needed.
  
  EDIT: I just found out Amazon has a 30-day price guarantee. This means I will be getting a nice $88 refund on my credit card. Have yet to be disappointed with Amazon.
  
  
• Disapointed
  By A1L6GSPJMCNZQW on 2007-07-19
  I had great expectations for Olympus E-510. After learning on a Canon A620, I wanted something that would give me consistently better pictures. Unfortunately, the E-510 is not that camera. I am plagued with out of focus, under and over exposed junk shots. Out of 500 shots, four were keepers. I have tried shooting in all modes, indoors and out, with bad results. For a time, I might have had trouble getting consistent lens contact, which would explain some of the poor focus problem. Eventually, auto focus could be obtained in still controlled indoor shots, but not outside (for me, the viewfinder is inadequate for manual focus). Also, Image Stability seems to offer little help in cutting down blur. The camera feels great to hold, and has all the bells and whistles, but what's the use if you can't get clear pictures. Final thought: It has been discussed at length, the need to turn off noise reduction on the E-510, in order to get clear pictures ( usually have it off). For some shots this is helpful, but for most it will introduce an abundance of noise into your pictures. In many cases, I can get better results from my point-n-shoot (in manual mode) than I can in any selection with the E-510. I don't have any other cameras to compare with, so similar models of other brands may not be better. I do know that $900 is a lot to pay for a failed photographic experiment.
  
  
  Follow up after 1 month, about 2000 shots:
  Hopefully, this is my final word on the e510. After being accused of naiveté by more learned photographers, I was frustrated about how to warn against the limitations of this camera. After rereading many of the e510 online reviews, at various photo sites, I noticed some of them warn against the limitations of the sensor. They state that it operates at the far limits of what a sensor its size can handle. This is the only thing that makes sense to me, when trying to make a rational evaluation. Perhaps my frustration is that my old P&S (Canon A620) had a very high quality sensor, for that kind of camera, and that I expected the E510 to surpass it, which it hasn't, except in a few limited cases.
  I like to visit my local park and shoot geese and ducks, mostly. My old A620 would give me dazzlingly sharp pictures of wing tip feather details. However, I needed a tripod, perfect light, a range within 50ft. The E510, according to the reviews, promised to overcome those limits. The samples provided by some reviews looked very good. So I expected the E510 would easily meet my expectations.
  My first disappointment with the E510 was that the IS in Auto mode would not give good pool-party style pictures - even a P&S without IS can do this. My next disappointment was that it would not take controlled indoor still photos well, even on a tripod, even in Manual mode - they were blurry. I suspect that the lens was making poor electrical contact with the body, since Oly warns about this in their FAQ, and because the pictures improved later.
  My real disappoint was at the park shooting ducks and geese. I had high hopes that IS would let me take hand held shots, but no. I took 150 hand held shots alternating between kit lenses without a keeper. The next day, I tried again with both noise liters turned off, but the results were about the same (noise being a minor issue in these kinds of shots). So I brought my tripod to the park, but still, in daylight, with sitting ducks, using every settable range available on the camera, only 2 of 170 shots were keepers. This was no better than my A620 P&S!
  I don't hate the E510, I'm just disappointed. I paid $700 more than I did for my P&S for pictures of comparable quality. I love the way the E510 feels - it makes you want to go shooting. I love the lenses, especially the 40-150mm. I will definitely keep working to find the sweet spot in this camera. However, the LiveView is useless if you are trying to capture a moment, since it has a one second shutter delay. The viewfinder is too small and dim to accurately use manual focus in most cases. Also, the viewfinder display isn't bright enough in daylight to see easily, unless you give your eye time to adjust. The passive AF (common to DSLRs) on the E510 is easily confused, especially in dim light. When AF uses the flash to set range, it delays the shot by seconds, and ruins a candid shot. Comparing shots with my friend's xti, I end up with large dark patches, that the xti doesn't get. There are adjustments that can correct some of this, but you loose in other areas to do it - the xti does not. This, according to the reviews, may be due to a sharp luminance drop off, compared to the xti, and the D40x.
  I bow to those photo masters who, not so graciously, commented on my review. I still have a lot to learn. However, there are limitations to this camera that are being ignored. If this were a $500 or $600 camera, I would say hurray; the picture quality isn't any better than my $200 P&S, but it has lots of bells and whistles, and it feels great to work with. You can't move into DSLR much cheaper, so suffer the disappointment with me (all entry level DSLRs have their draw backs), or put out the really big bucks, I guess. I see the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II is selling for about $7000 (body only).
  
  
  
• Terrific travel DSLR
  By A1U75DBAUXQKE3 on 2007-07-31
  I'm a long time photographer that places high value on construction quality and ergonomics, My original search lead me to a Panasonic DMC-L1 and nothing I looked at in the $1000-$2000 range had the quality feel and traditional ergonomics of the L1. For studio work I love the L1 but its size and weight make it a less ideal travel companion.
  
  One of the original premises of the 4/3 system was being able to offer high quality pictures from a system that was less expensive, smaller, and lighter. Olympus seems to be offering several products that fit that premise. The latest being the E-510
  
  The E-510 body is relatively light, very rigid and sturdy, with a quality feel. The two kit lenses (14-42 and 45-150) have the same cheap, horrid feel of other "kit" lenses, but these are considerably smaller and lighter and of higher optical quality than most. This two lens kit is capable of very high quality pictures over a large zoom range, while not taking up much space or weighing much. Its ideal for travel where you want a DSLR instead of a SuperZoom. Olympus offers plenty of high quality lenses and accessories if you want to make this kit the basis for a much larger system. I've added an 18-180 lans and Fl36 flash to mine so far.
  
  The E-510 is as capable as anything else in its price range. Why would you or wouldn't you want to purchase it over its competition?
  
  Pro's
  - System small size, light weight, and high quality
  - Effective Sensor self cleaning (don't underestimate this one)
  - Sensor based Image Stabilization (a bit less effective than lens based but much cheaper)
  - Awesome battery life
  - Live view
  
  Con's
  - 4/3 sensor smaller and intrinsically less sensitive than larger APS sensors
  - 4/3 viewfinder a bit dimmer and smaller making manual focus more difficult
  - Creative program modes not as well done as some of the competition
  
  What's missing?
  - An auto ISO that permits 800 and 1600
  - A sports mode that senses movement and adjusts aperture and ISO to ensure a frozen image
  - Permit base changes of creative mode settings (currently lost when you leave and reselect a creative mode)
  
  All of these missing things could be addressed in a firmware upgrade. Are you listening Olympus? ;-)
  
  
• Everything it says it is
  By A1HFR35HDKQ0IX on 2007-08-08
  I've owned this camera (with the 2 lens kit) for about a week now and have spent this time getting to know it. It's exactly what I expected - which is a good thing. The IS works well - don't expect too much though, a tripod is still required in many situations - and the good performance at high ISOs (something previous Olympus dSLRs were often criticized for) combined with this gives you more options in more situations. People who have owned the e-500 have consistently said that the high-ISO prformance on the e-510 is much improved. I cannot comment on this or make a comparison, but I do think that the high-ISO performance (and many people underestimate how important this is) is excellent and the equal of its competitors.
  
  Liveview works as advertised, it takes some getting used to due to the special properties involved but can be very useful in some situations (i.e. macros (which I don't take) or low-light situations w/ tripod using MF on the liveview zoom). It is also very nice being able to see a live histogram. The LCD screen doesn't tilt out but again, truth in advertising, you can see it well in direct sunlight (if a little dark) and indoors you can see it at ridiculous angles. It is important to remember, however, that this does not work in the same way as it does on a P&S. The mirror must flip up in order for the camera to focus, resulting in lag times that are often longer than the typical compact camera. One of the main advantages of a dSLR is the speed that can be achieved both for focusing and framing shots. In other words, for those of you taking a step up to dSLRs, this camera is not meant to be used using Liveview as the main way to set up your photos. What it is, is another option providing you with more flexibility and the possibility of getting certain shots that would be difficult/impossible without it.
  
  Image quality in my opinion is quite good. In many reviews you are advised to turn off the Noise Reduction, and decrease sharpness (-2) to compensate and after fiddling around with these settings I agree. Remember to decrease sharpness across the board (Vivid, Muted etc). I would recommend only using noise reduction for very long shutter speeds.
  
  The 3-point AF can seem limiting at first but if you take the time to frame your shots properly it is no hindrance. If anything it's making me consider this all important aspect more than I used to. And in other situations, when you don't have much time, the simplicity of it can be an advantage. Less is sometimes more. Focusing in dark lighting conditions can sometimes be difficult. In these circumstances, when stability is available, I like to use the LV enhancement + MF.
  
  It is a comfortable camera to hold, and I especially like the ability to not only use the wheel but the 4-point controller to set things up while looking through the viewfinder. Once you get the hang of the menu layout it is actually much faster. 4/3 system makes sure both the body and the lenses don't break your back. Whether or not you like what this system offers, is a matter of personal choice. I use my camera almost exclusively for street and travel photography and so for me the decision makes itself.
  
  The user interface is very intuitive, and I must say is a huge improvement over the last Olympus I owned (the C-8080wz - an absolutely fantastic P&S btw). It must be said that the excellent impression the previous Olympus I owned left on me was a factor in deciding to go for Olympus again this time.
  
  RAW+SHQ are huge. I can fit 81 on a blank 2GB card. So make sure you have sufficient space. Write times are very good and the buffer space is excellent. I personally do not have a need for continuous shooting but those of you who do will be happy with this camera's capabilities. Battery life is also another plus, it takes a while to charge, but lasts very long.
  
  Canon and Nikon will always dominate the market but thankfully there are other companies pushing the envelope in other directions, which ultimately benefits us, the consumers. And Olympus is foremost among them.
  
  With excellent image quality and good high ISO performance, a quality build (though it uses plastic it feels much less "plasticky" than much of the competition), the best kit lenses available, good ergonomics and low weight and a (in my opinion) very user friendly menu system, the e-510 is a fantastic camera and I do not hesitate to recommend it. Personally, it is ideal, for the type of photographer I am and the types of pictures I take. But combined with its trifecta of features not offered (together) on any other dSLR in this price range (liveview, IS in body, effective dust reduction), Olympus have really hit a home run.
  
  I wonder what the reaction (and sales) would be like if Canon or Nikon produced a camera like this. And I wonder why they haven't.
  
  
• Very, very happy with my new Olympus Evolt E510-SLR
  By A3B87UZLPCF0HW on 2007-09-16
  When I went out looking for a new digital camera I had some specifications in mind that this digital camera delivers and more.....
  I hike, so I photograph nature----I view sporting events, so I needed a camera that would capture action shots without blur and would work with me in different lightening situations.
  I am involved in different dog clubs and those little animals run around and play and you never know when you are going to get that perfect shot, but this camera is quick and efficient with this great dust reduction Supersonic Wave Filter (image sensor) I get a fantastic picture of my animals clear and pretty.
  The screen size is 17.3 mm (H) x 13.0 mm (V)--perfect....
  Effective Pixels number is 10 million pixels......
  
  Another aspect of the camera is that it has brightness control at 15 levels-I just love that for the Pacific Northwest, one day bright, next day dark weather differences.
  The camera also has a AF illuminator Built-in flash, but I got an external flash that was available at an extra cost. Preview Can be checked (when Fn button is set in preview mode), selectable from the optical viewfinder or rear-mounted LCD monitor-nice option....
  
  It has Live View, Live-MOS Sensor when still picture shooting is used, 100% field of view, Exposure adjustment pre-view, White balance adjustment pre-view, Grid line displayable, 7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, Shooting information, Histogram, IS activating mode, and this is great-----"a heat warning."
  I AM ONE HAPPY CAMPER WITH THIS NEW DIGITAL CAMERA!!!!
  
  
  
• Enjoyable Digital Experience
  By AF6A0DDUVY3DL on 2007-11-30
  Some years ago, I switched from film SLR cameras to digital point and shoot with very satisfying results. I finally decided to reenter the SLR market and after much online research, settled on the Olympus E510.
  
  I have taken several hundred photos with this camera since I purchased it and have been quite pleased with the results.
  
  The reviews I read panned the camera's ability to focus in low light and I have found that to be a shortcoming, but unfortunately I can't compare that with other digital SLR cameras so I don't know if it is Olympus-specific or how Olympus compares to other cameras. It still tends to get the job done for me.
  
  Just a couple nights ago I had to use the camera with no flash at an indoor dance recital at a local high school. Expecting low light, I manually set the ISO (film speed) to 1600 and managed to get some nice shots using no flash, a 300mm (equivalent) zoom, the anti-shake setting and hand-holding during dance routines. The photos weren't perfect, but I got some keepers of my grandaughter, something I couldn't do with my point and shoot.
  
  Beyond that, I added a circular polarizer which has really enhanced my outside photos.
  
  By experimenting in flourescent and various outside lighting conditions, I also determined that white balance may be the most critical setting in the camera to arrive at proper exposure. Generally, I have found that in outdoor photography, using the shade white balance setting yields better looking photos than using the automatic white balance setting.
  
  There are many adjustments and settings available with this camera (infinitely more than in my old film SLR cameras) and it takes time to try them out to arrive at the best balance of settings, but the time is well-spent in my judgment. The extensive control the camera gives the operator means that I will have many years of fun tinkering with settings.
  
  The kit lenses which come with the camera are very nice and photo quality is excellent.
  
  I have even tried (for the first time) using RAW format just to see what that is all about. Frankly, I have found that if I get the white balance set correctly and use high resolution, my photos are so good that RAW format adjustments make no significant improvement over the original. You can check that out for yourself by using the mode that saves both JPEG and RAW photos of each shot. That is too space consuming for regular use as you will fill up your compactflash card (RAW files are 10 MB and highest quality JPEG files are about 6 MB).
  
  One note -- the kit does not come with memory cards to store your photos. So I was fortunate to have an old Olympus memory card until I was able to buy some high capacity compactflash cards. Had I paid more attention, I might have bought a compactflash card at the outset as well. You might also consider ordering a second battery as you can't just slide a couple AA's into it, you have to have an Olympus or compatible battery. And it takes 5 hours to charge a battery using the kit charger, so you don't want to run out of power. Compatible batteries cost about $20 at Amazon.
  
  This is a very good value for a digital SLR overall.
  
  SUPPLEMENT:
  
  Since I reviewed this item, a very new extensive review at dpreview. That is a great source to get an exhaustive explanation of the camera's capabilities and see how it compares to other cameras.
  
  Also, setting white balance for particular conditions is a snap. It involves a couple button presses and pointing the camera at a white sheet of paper or white cloth -- the white balance is based on the white object and so there is automatic and accurate correction for whatever the ambient light is, whether sun, shade, tungsten, or one of the many different temperatures of fluorescent.
  
  Live View was a great asset in composing photos of my grandkids for Christmas cards. I put the camera on a tripod and used Live View to put the girls where I wanted them and fired away. It is hard to believe that this feature isn't in all digital SLR cameras.
  
  
• Why I researched to death, then bought the Olympus E-510
  By A2T17NDPY0AYEM on 2008-02-05
  Have you narrowed your choice down to a couple of camera yet? It took me about 4 months to get that far. So I'm writing this to help ease the tortoured minds that are like my own, and research to death what camera to buy.
  A few things to note about the Olympus E-510. Right out of the box, the camera is going to take better pictures than that 5 megapixil point and shoot you are thinking of advancing from. I like RAZOR sharp pictures. The pictures you get with this camera are modestly sharp, but I usually run my pics through PICASA or ACDSee and hit the sharpen button once or twice. I have compared pictures from all the available cameras in this price range. Nikon D40, D40X, Canon Xti, Pentax K10D and K100Super. After all the research I went to buy the Pentax K10D and came home with the Olympus E-510.
  When you hold the camera, use the controls, and explore all the setting options, you can't help but love the camera. The built in Image Stabilization and live view pushed me over the edge to buy.
  Strong Points:
  1) I use the live view more for tripod work with wildlife in by back yard; and frequently for setting the white balance, then shooting normally. I really like that option.
  
  2) When I considered the Xti and the lens I wanted, it was almost twice the price of the E-510. I considered the Pentax K100Super, but didn't want to go back to AA battery thing again. An option if you are on a really tight budget. The K10D? I found the controls, and speed it took to change them on the K10D its downfall, though a rugged camera and still a good choice if you are leaning in that direction, again I went to the store to buy this camera.
  
  3) ISO 1600; the camera takes good natural light pictures with ISO 800 and 1600. A couple sample pictures were taken that way. I'm impressed.
  
  4) Most complaints about this camera are about focusing. I have not experienced any "hunting" with focusing, but rather some dark conditions with little contrast will make the built in flash strobe for up to 5 seconds prior to locking and shooting. I don't consider it a problem, but rather how my camera works. I accept it, its rare. I would not buy a different camera based on this.
  
  5) Under or over exposure. This is probably my only complaint about the camera. I find myself using the exposure compensation when shooting indoor flash photos when the subject is more than 10 feet away. I don't understand why they cant program the camera to increase the exposure compensation when the subject focused at a distance, or the lens is zoomed. The data is collected by the camera, why don't they use it so I don't have to compensate for it? If I forget to compensate, the pictures are never lost to quality, I just have to tweak them in Picasa or some other photo program.
  
  6) Image Stabilization. In the bleachers of the gym at my local school, I can turn to ISO 1600, turn on the IS, full out zoom and still get a nice shot at 1/30th. It's the real deal. No complaints.
  
  7) Image quality. The details with noise filter off, the color and the sharpness are wonderful. The dynamic range is the same as the Pentax K10. White whites and black blacks is the issue here. I like BRIGHT and slightly over saturated pictures, which means I tend to over expose them in the photo programs. You will notice you clip the whites out when you do this, but no worse than any other manufacturer when comparing photos all over PBASE.
  
  8). SSWF. The dust buster in this camera works. Didn't buy it for this, but it's a bonus.
  
  9) I never use the scene modes. If you are inexperienced, you may want to use these options. I bought the camera because I loved film in the 1980's and wanted to get back to a SLR. I like shooting with spot metering and spot focusing, by sticking it right on the center of some ones nose, then dropping down to frame my shot. I like taking a picture across a gym filled with kids, not knowing which one is my kid, but getting a clean shot that can be cropped into what I wanted. If this is the fun you expect to have, you will be happy.
  
  Sometimes a full kit package with two lenses for under 700 bucks really is a deal, and a great camera. I would buy again. Have fun.
  
  
  
• I Returned It... WB Never Gets Right... Dark Pictures... Dull Colors
  By ACMXHJV1KCOSV on 2007-12-13
  A lot of people seem to like this camera. Why? I bought this from Amazon.com (great service), took somewhere around 250-300 pictures at all qualities, settings, scenes, lighting, color pallets, etc., using the kit lenses trying to get things to look like I see them with my eyes or better and it just never happened no matter what I did with the settings. Listen, I'm not a pro but, get this, I took it to a product photographer at work and my neighbor who's a big Canon buff and using their advice, I still couldn't get it to brighten up! Still, the camera's AUTO mode should take, say, B+/A- grade pictures in the "average" situation but this sucker does not. Why?! In fact, no Olympus camera I've had has! Weird.
  
  The menu makes sense, but it's just so "filled" with options that already have their own button on the camera itself, mixed in with unique settings, that it get's tiresome to flip through. Speaking of flipping through, the buttons on the menu control worry me. I've used cameras where the buttons feel like they're right out of the interior of a BMW - tight, quiet, heavy feeling - but these buttons feel like they're right out of a Ford Fiesta (okay, maybe Daewoo). They are light, overly "clicky," and I feel like they'll pop off someday.
  
  Same goes for the rest of the camera, including the kit lenses. Now, this thing is light and that is nice. But camera feels, again, like a Ford Fiesta in terms of build quality vs. other cameras. It feels hollow to me, as if there's a lot of room in there for "improvement." No, there are no echos. We all know what cheap feels like vs. well-built! The kit lenses don't scope out and in as smoothly as I feel like they should. Sometimes they snag just a teeny, tiny bit and coupled with the fact that they are just not smooth operating makes me wonder how long they'll last.
  
  The white balance (WB) adjustments on this camera work just like any other SLR I'm sure but, my gosh, all it does is make dull, dark photos go straight to washed-out and super-mega bright! This isn't a defect model. I went to Ritz thinking it was and played with their display; same thing. I could NOT get this camera to take a picture with the right WB so that the image was crisp, clear, properly lit, and all that. No matter the ISO, contrast setting, sharpness setting, noise filter setting, etc. At Ritz, we put on a fancier lense for the heck of it, and though things improved (not enough at all though), because the screen is not high-res enough, you couldn't tell if the detail got better other than noticing - due to the expanded ability of a higher apeture lense - that the brightness got more accurate.
  
  Plus sides of this camera are:
  > Image stabilization built in in two modes (horizontal + vertical for most shots and just horizontal for panning)
  > 10MP
  > Screen size
  > Grip and size of unit is perfect (Rebel XT/XTi is horrible)
  > Light (but in a bad way to me)
  > Takes pictures fast
  > Auto focus is accurate and fast (only 3-focus points though)
  > And other stuff, but this is a negative review....
  
  You can obviously tell I was just not impressed with this camera! For $600+ it's just doesn't cut it relative to what it SHOULD be. I took 10 shots with the Nikon D80 and almost bought it right then and there! I would have IF it had image stabilization built in and - though I don't believe this does much more than setting the camera down hard - dust removal technology. I still might but I'm going to explore the Nikon D80, Canon EOS 20D/30D/40D, and the Pentax K10D. The Rebel XT/XTi is out of the question because the grip isn't bulky enough for my taste.
  
  I bought this camera because I was attracted to the dual lenses and the big feature list. But, once again, I realized that if you ask for everything, everything presents itself, and you know you aren't paying enough for it, then what you are buying is 2/3rds of what everything could be had you paid what you should have paid for it. If that makes sense. Think about it.
  
  Thanks for the read. Look elsewhere, please.
  
  
• Amazing!
  By A2WJUHMYM9IKUY on 2007-08-16
  This is my first DSLR, after a few P&S cameras. Although I cannot compare it with other models and systems I will say what I am experiencing:
  
  1) The camera is easy to use, it does not require hours and hours of experience. You can start taking great pictures in just a few minutes;
  
  2) It has all the manuals controls to satisfy the pro (or semi) photographer;
  
  3) The lenses are light, making a nice companion to carry around, and the quality are tremendous for the price;
  
  4) The battery life is amazing (you can take almost 500 shots!!
  
  5) The software is easy to use, easy to install;
  
  6) Live view is useful (although I have to confess that I have used a few times);
  
  7) Black and white mode has three filters (yellow, green and red)...really nice tool.
  
  Cons: So far I have not found one.
  
  I am not paid by Olympus to be a fan!! I really liked the product and the quality of it.
  
  My suggestion, buy and go out to take great pictures.
  
  
• Why this blows the Nikon D40 away...
  By A2KJLDKNOS2QVF on 2007-11-28
  I have been using the Nikon D40 for several months and it is a great entry level DSLR. HOWEVER, in the entry level DSLR category, this Olympus E510 blows the D40 away and here's why:
  
  - For roughly the same price, you get two compact, high quality lenses from Olympus
  - The basic Nikon D40 does NOT have image stabilization and the E510 does. This means that at the end of shooting anything, you'll have way more in-focus, clear, and usable shots with the Olympus
  - The Live-View mode helps you get the white balance closer to natural on the Olympus E510 (Nikon D40 does not have this)
  
  So, if you're on the fence about the Nikon D40 versus Olympus E510, GET the Olympus E510. You'll be happier with the stunning quality and consistency this camera offers the average user. It rocks!
  
  
  
• Save Time & Money Buying the Olympus E-510 From Amazon
  By ARJ9HO5E39QDW on 2008-03-14
  This review is about my EXPERIENCE purchasing the awesome Evolt E-510 (with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Zuiko Lenses) rather than the camera itself. Hopefully it will save you time and trouble.
  
  When researching online stores to purchase this camera kit the lowest price I found was $527 at Broadway Photo. I carefully read the details, mainly which items were included in the box. Everything in the description matched the list of items "included in the box" on the Olympus website, so I felt reasonably certain that it was an identical kit. Broadway Photo even threw in a "bonus" that included a tripod, cleaning kit and protective film for the LCD screen. I went ahead and placed the order with my Discover card. I opted for Overnight Shipping because the site stated that the camera would ship in 1 - 2 business days and I was trying to get it before the weekend.
  
  The "receipt" that was emailed to me lacked any detail regarding my order, including the price paid for the camera package and shipping ($42.00 for overnight shipping). My order total should have been $569, a considerable savings over any other site offering the camera. The receipt also stated that I needed to make sure that my credit card company had any alternate shipping addresses on file. I called Discover to verify that my work address was on file - it was. I was trying to avoid any last minute calls from Broadway Photo that might delay my order.
  
  The next day I got a phone call from Broadway Photo "verifying" my order. The salesman on the phone also wanted to make sure I didn't need any accessories and was aware of a few things with this particular camera package - namely that the battery was a lower-life battery, the charger was a 12 hour charger and the warranty was only 90 days. He offered a better deal, a long-life battery, a 15 minute charger and a 1 year extended warranty from Olympus for an additional $100. I usually don't go for any bait and switch tactics, but I knew an extended Olympus battery and a quick charger were around $140, and I thought it would be convenient having a charger at work and at home. Against all better judgement, I agreed.
  
  When my package arrived I got the standard camera kit and a TINY box with a TINY tabletop tripod (made up of flexible bendy legs), lens cleaning kit and LCD protective film. The extra battery and charger were missing. The receipt said that the battery and charger were an "UPGRADE" and there was no mention of an extended warranty. I opened the camera box thinking they may have stuffed the charger and battery inside, only to find the standard Olympus battery, charger and standard ONE YEAR WARRANTY. I also noticed that Broadway Photo added an additional $40.50 to my order as a "HANDLING" charge, for a total of $709.50 - a $140.50 jump from the original $569 order. I gave Broadway Photo a call.
  
  I figured that Broadway Photo dealt with gray-market goods (units that may have different features and accessories which are packaged to be sold outside of the U.S. that are being sold within the U.S. market at a discount) - but I was told that the extra $100 was for a SECOND battery, SECOND charger and extended warranty - not the standard issue items that came with the U.S. camera kit. I felt like I was still getting a good deal. The customer service rep explained that the Broadway Photo website plainly stated that they sold "overseas units" and when I asked "gray-market goods?" he said "Oh no, NOT gray-market goods - units packaged for sale overseas". I told him that was the textbook definition of a gray-market good. I told him I felt like Broadway Photo was using bait and switch tactics which he also denied. He told me that the package that was advertised included a shorter life battery and 12-hour charger that Olympus packaged for overseas sales and the UPGRADE was legitimate - even though the web page made no mention that the E-510 kit was packaged for sale overseas. I asked about the 90-Day Warranty vs. the standard 1-Year Warranty and he said the 90-Day warranty was not from Olympus but from an outside vendor. Ahhhhh, so the camera kit wouldn't even be warranted by Olympus because it wasn't made to be sold in the U.S.
  
  I told him I wanted to return the entire order because I didn't trust Broadway Photo and he said that I would have to pay all return shipping charges and I would not get my shipping and handling charges refunded, BUT, he was willing to send me a true 3-year Olympus extended warranty because he wanted to keep my business. I said the only way he would keep my business would be to send me the 3-year warranty, the extra OLYMPUS battery and the 15-minute charger as I was promised. I also pointed out that Discover would charge-back Broadway Photo for the $82.50 shipping and handling charges so I had nothing to worry about. He said that I had the Olympus battery and charger because they were shipped as an "UPGRADE" to my order, and that the units which originally should have shipped with the kit I ordered off the website were made by after-market manufacturers. I told him to go ahead and send me those instead and I would keep the package. The customer service rep said he couldn't ship the extra battery and charger unless I was willing to pay $24 PLUS shipping and handling - yet another upsell - so I had him issue an RMA number.
  
  I sent the unit back and Broadway Photo did promptly credit my Discover card with everything but the shipping and handling fees -just as I was told. I called Discover and explained the situation and they credited my account with the rest of the charges. Ultimately my fiasco with Broadway Photo cost me $18 to ship the camera back. I have since purchased the E-510 from Amazon (which I should have done in the first place) and I love it.
  
  
• Great upgrade to the E-500 series
  By A320AVD1I45FJ3 on 2007-09-22
  I owned the E-500 for over a year; it was my first DSLR. I loved how it felt in my hands...light yet substantial. I bought the camera for the faster processor and flexibility compared to my previous point & shoots. But I was still missing shots of my son when he was running track and playing basketball. When Olympus announced the E-510 with its Image Stabilizer (IS) built into the body, I knew I had to upgrade. Any lens I had or purchased would have IS! I cautiously read all the early reviews...all positive. So I took the plunge and bought the body (a friend bought my E-500 and is as happy as I was with it). The IS allows for the capture of shots that my unsteady hands would have mucked up.
  
  I have not been disappointed. I am currently putting the camera thru its paces, but it has performed remarkably well. I will be taking it to a night football game and other activities. I also took several indoor pictures at a seminar I attended...and the lighting in those rooms are not conducive to obtaining good images. But with a little tweaking with a photo editor, the shots looked great. The camera is lightweight like its predecessor, the menues are similar and so are the controls. I don't use LiveView when I shoot, but I know a lot of people coming from P&S digicams do. So this DSLR should be a perfect transition for them while being advanced enough for experienced photographers to grow with.
  
  
• Another fine Olympus product
  By A2UA3G800Z3093 on 2007-09-28
  Camera specs are excellent for the price, I have an older very good E10, and Olympus has improved many things with this model, much lighter too. I was looking for a camera with image stabilization in the body of the camera, the sonic wave filter (like the E10) and one that had interchangable lenses. I like the larger CF memory (so I can't lose it as easily), plus they are available with more capacity than SD cards. I was hoping to re-use my FL40 flash but now I have to save for the newer FL50 to work with the 510. I also was a little dissapointed in the small veiwfinder, but the LCD screen is now much larger. The scene modes have nice explanations built in and will be useful and the program modes can be customized and stored.
  
  
• I had high hopes, but was dissapointed
  By APBB297H3ZA5E on 2007-08-24
  1. After doing a lot of research on various DSLRs, I decided to get the Olympus 510. I was so sure that this would be a great camera that I also got the 2 kit lens deal along with an additional 11-22mm wide angle lens.
  
  2. This is a nice camera and should do the job for most folks.
  
  3. The reason I ended up returning this camera was because of the slight decreased dynamic range. The JPEG images are just overtly too contrasty (I'm sure that you can adjust the parameters in the menus), but even RAW files have decreased dynamic range compared to other DSLRs--> which is really a deal breaker for me since I shoot mainly landscapes, esp mountains with a lot of snow etc...
  
  4. If you just want an nicely made, compact DSLR for average shooting-> this would be a nice buy. But if your photography requires more than less dynamic range--> search elsewhere.
  
  
• This Camera is Awesome!!!
  By A3PA2VV2W5E5WB on 2007-11-15
  Before I bought the E510 I was using an Olympus C-5050 Zoom (5MP). This was a great camera but was slow on taking pictures. The only way to get a good picture of my fast moving kid was in burst mode. Even then it was difficult. I was also unable to take consistent photos that weren't blurry in the house (low light). My choice was to buy an external flash or buy the E510. I'm glad I bought the E510 first. I do plan to buy a flash for the E510 soon.
  
  The E510 is so much faster taking pictures than my last camera. Burst mode doesn't work with the flash on the older camera but this camera takes photos one after the other very very fast. The E510 also takes excellent pictures indoors with different light sources. I have taken over 150 indoor photos and so far only about 6 of them were too dark or blurry. This was because I was messing with the manual settings and I'm not that familiar with manual picture taking.
  
  This is my first D-SLR camera and I have to say I was very comfortable with it right out of the box. I actually don't see much difference in the operation between my old and new camera.
  
  
• Olympus Evolt E-510 Images Too Dark and WB Off
  By A2L84UYD6KWIW on 2008-01-02
  I bought the Olympus Evolt E-510 based on reading the glowing reviews and based on its feature set. I took a bunch of pictures indoors over the holidays and found the pictures waaayyyy too dark. I'm not a photography expert, so I typically use the automatic settings. I tried all types of ways to brighten up the picture but nothing I did solved the problem. My Canon Point-And-Shot SD550 took much better pictures! I thought it might be the built in flash, so I went and got the top of the line Olympus Flash FL-50 and although the flash is cool, I still got dark pictures.
  
  The other issue that I found was the White Balance (WB) seemed to be off with more than a few pictures. The colors were too warm and I had to play a lot in iPhoto to get the pictures even close to an acceptable level. I purchased a digital SLR for its increased speed and for its better picture quality, but the Olympus Evolt E-510 did not come close to the image quality that I would expect from a $700+ camera (with the lenses).
  
  I returned both the camera and the flash and I ordered the Nikon D80 based on its positive reviews and based on advice from a neighbor, who is into photography. After returning the Evolt E-510 I read the new Amazon review and it did point out it's low exposure and WB issue with the automatic settings.
  
  If you like to use the automatic settings of the camera, then my advice is to stay away from this camera.
  
  
• Olympus kit lenses make E-510 stand above other big names
  By A3DYNRTMINSY8S on 2008-04-12
  Like most people in the market for a digital SLR, I did a lot of research before purchasing the e-510. But I had one big advantage: I had previously purchased a Canon Rebel XT about a year ago and found that I was not at all happy with the camera. The image quality was very soft, and I ended up selling the thing on ebay. In general, I found that Canon is waaay over-rated and in order to get good pics you have to shell out at least as much coin for non kit lenses as you do for the bloody body. Canon and Nikon SLRs are, in my mind, a racket for lenses.
  
  That's where Olympus came into the picture. I had previously owned a Olympus C-765 10x zoom non-SLR camera and was generally pleased with the results. Particularly, I was pleased with the optics of the lenses at the long end of the zoom spectrum. It's all about the lenses, stupid!! So, in my mind, when it came to the next SLR purchase, it came down to Sony and Olympus. I picked the E-510 because it came with two lenses, had all the current features, and pretty much was getting rave reviews.
  
  I am very glad I purchased the E-510. The lenses have not disappointed. The image quality is clear and concise and detailed - something that my Canon XT kit with kit lens was definitely not. For anybody just getting into digital photography, like myself, I would recommend the E-510 because of the lenses and quality pics you'll get without having to spend a ransom on lens upgrades. Other things I like about the E-510 are: the user-friendly menu system, the feel of the camera - it feels like a substantial, professional tool, the anti-dust mechanism and built-in anti-shake, the long battery life. It's just an excellent camera that gets SLR results. Again, can't say the same for the Canon XT.
  
  Don't believe all the hype about Canon, for sure, and probably Nikon. I don't know why Olympus doesn't more aggressively market its products, because I find it to be a superior camera? The company is, after all, in the business of making high-powered microscopes and optical equipment. I have found that the lenses are high quality and will give you great image quality. I am very happy with my E-510 and now getting so excited about my new hobby that I am considering buying the 70-300 Zuiko lens to get really close-up shots. Bottom line: buy the 2-lens kit E-510 and you'll get great pics, have a feature-ladden camera, and won't have to throw away your kit lens and pay big bucks for a new lens right away. I'm an Olympus fan, but it's because the proof is in the pudding - the awesome results you get.
  
  
• Shakey Hands?
  By A2E30DV6YM92MQ on 2007-07-18
  If you've got shaky hands like I do, then this is the camera for you. I just got the camera yesterday and I'm going pro again tomorrow. The IS really does work. I've been shooting everything around the house just to practice, and I finally have sharp photos again. I was once a pro and gave up due to a hand tremor. This camera is the answer to my prayers. I hate the fact that it is plastic, but for the price and features. I can live with it until Canon or Nikon adopt similar or better technology. The Canon and the Nikon are staying on the shelf as they have for many years now, or maybe going on ebay:) BTW customer support is by engish speaking people with great knowledge of the product even though it just came out.
  Kudos to Olympus for putting out a great product at an affordable price, must be why it is plastic:)
  
  
• it is the cheapist DSLR, but you have to know why
  By A3PI3BCHB17Q7N on 2007-12-22
  it is good camera,especially in this low price ($549 with two lens in fry's). I don't want to mention good points because a lot of people already did. I just want to point out big problem for this camera because it looks like nobody mentioned yet. The big problem is auto focus in very low light( I mean very low light),the camera has no response or lens zoom in and out, just refuse to fire. I tried many times. Probablly the reason is that camera couldn't see any subject although alluminating assist light kept flashing. I tried it in day time, too. I just point camera to sky(blue sky without clouds), the camera had same problem ( could not focus and refuse to fire). In above satuations I had to change to MF or turn on release prority, but picture came out with out of focus. This is very annoying and never happend to other camera,even very cheap point and shot camera. I could not figure out why, probably this camera only has 3 point auto focus compare with canon has 9 points. olympus e500 has the same problem. I heard olympus e3 has 11 points auto focus. I don't know if it has the same problem. If you want to buy this camera, you have to know this problem. If you can tolerate this, you can buy it. it is the cheapist DSLR with high qulity in the market.
  
  
• E-510
  By A36HC4ZWAMSVWW on 2007-08-08
  I started out my dslr career a while ago, I bought the E-510. I loved it, great photos (I have a semi-pro friend who reviewed them and he thought they were great and I have NO experience). IS works awesome! Live-view not so useful. Market leading dust reduction and above par kit lenses. Maybe a little small viewfinder but not much different from comparable cameras. Well, after a few days I got a little cold feet since I shelled out close to 1200 at the time for it all in all. So I returned it thinking I'll get a D40X which was significantly cheaper. But after using that for a while (which had a defect in the LCD) I decided that the E-510 was very much worth the extra money, soooo I returned the Nikon and are now eagerly awaiting the E-510 again (which by now are on a much comparable price level). The D40X tended to overexpose massively in pictures randomly even when taking identical pictures in sequence. Other than that it was a great camera aswell.
  
  I have read a lot of user reviews on the E-510 and all of them highly recommends this camera and I just have to join the pack. The user here on amazon that complains about the camera and at the same time bashes on us other users calling us suckers just baffles me; either the camera is not working properly or you have very strange expectations on this product (or maybe you are working for Nikon???, who by the way should feel threatened since I felt the D40X did not match up to the E-510 even factoring in price difference).
  
  
• Excellent Camera!
  By A1WPT3VT4ZMLBX on 2007-10-03
  I had the Olympus Evolt 300 and loved it. When I read the reviews and specs on the 510 I had to go for the upgrade. Very pleased with the purchase. Fantastic camera, excellent quality pictures and tremendous versatility.
  
  
• Worthy successor to the brilliant OM series
  By AU6QZL6HLLN1I on 2008-04-07
  Having had several 35mm Olympus OM cameras I know Olympus quality and "thinking" well. This is not a "me too" company. I'd been holding off on a digital SLR because the others I'd tried were big, awkward and a bit too gadgety. The four thirds concept is brilliant. It's a clean sheet-designed for digital-format, not adapted from 35mm format.
  
  Why everyone is trying to emulate the 35mm format beats me. It was an odd format in film (it's based on movie film stock) and old thinking. It makes for big digital SLR's and lenses.
  
  This may sound like a trivial point but this is a camera meant to be held. The grip and balance are near perfect. It feels like a thick OM. Bravo, Olympus.
  
  The JPEG quality is excellent by default and better with fiddling with the settings. The images don't have that digital processed look. There's no problems at all with RAW and Adobe. It converts well.
  
  The popup flash is as good or as bad as the others, depending on your perspective. None pop up high enough to not cast a shadow of the lens up close and all are a bit harsh. Cobble up a diffuser to spread the light and all is well.
  
  The menus system is simple and direct. No need to dive into the manual to figure out what obscure lingo and icons mean.
  
  Live view works and works best for tripod work. It's rough going holding any SLR away from your face due to the weight. Manual focus with the enlarged view is a great idea.
  
  Overall, a fine camera with excellent kit lenses. If I had to nitpick I'd say the battery charger is absurdly slow and clunky. Come on Olympus, you can do better. Chargers should charge in less than 5 hours and plug directly into the wall. The Master 2 software is also pretty primitive. Then again, if you have a dSLR you probably have better software already. (If not, get Photoshop Elements, at the very least.) It's major strength is it's ability to easily update the camera system firmware.
  
  

• PhotoPlus X2 Digital Studio
• Adobe Photoshop CS4
• Adobe Photoshop Elements & Premiere Elements 7
• Olympus 90-250mm f/2.8 Zuiko Lens for E Series DSLR Camera
• Induro Carbonflex 8x Tripod CX-114

• Olympus BLM-01 Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery for C7070, C8080, E1, E300 & E500 Digital Cameras
• Lowepro Transporter Camera Strap
• SanDisk SDCFH-004G-A11 4GB/15MB Ultra II CF Card ( US Retail Package )
• Olympus FL-36 Electronic Flash for SP series, C7070, E1, E300 & E500 Cameras
• Olympus 202027 2GB M Type Xd Card (Retail Package)