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Until the release of the Evolt E-410 and E-510, Olympus was mysteriously absent from the 10-plus megapixel DSLR market in the United States. The mid-sized Olympus EVOLT E-510 hits the trifecta: It's the world's first D-SLR to combine supersonic-wave sensor cleaning, in-body image stabilization, and a "live view" system that turns its LCD into a viewfinder. The 10-megapixel model is about the same size as its eight-megapixel predecessor, the E-500, but is much improved in its comfortable handling and rounded good looks. Like all Olympus D-SLRs, this one has a Four Thirds format image sensor. It's smaller than the APS-C-sized sensors found in other brands, but this allows comparable lenses to be made lighter and more compact. The smaller chip also gives the E-510 a higher FOV crop factor, 2X instead of the usual 1.5X or 1.6X. Unlike Olympus's E-330, which has a two-mode live view system that allows autofocus with the mirror down, the E-510 has just one live-view mode. Simply hit a button to raise its mirror and your subject appears on the LCD. This disables AF but lets you see real-time exposure and white balance changes, as well as a live histogram. The system is great for composing high- and low-angle shots, as well as for macro and studio work. Shooting with the small but serviceable optical viewfinder is still quicker. Though there are only three focus points, AF is super-swift, particularly in continuous mode. Aimed at serious users, the E-510 has lots of advanced features, our favorite being its LCD "super control panel." It's a brilliant alternative to hunting through a menu, offering one-finger access to 17 key settings with the four-way control pad.
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| Slowest Shutter Speed |
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2 |
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| Fastest Shutter Speed |
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4000 |
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| Built-In Flash |
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Yes |
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| Continuous Shooting |
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3 images/sec |
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| Flash Sync Speed |
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1/180 |
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| AF Points |
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3 |
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| Metering Zones |
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49 |
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| Lens Mount |
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Four Thirds |
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| Screen Size |
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2.5 in |
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| Screen Resolution |
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230,000 |
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| Screen Type |
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LCD |
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| Maximum ISO |
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1600 |
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| Max Continuous RAW |
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6 |
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| Battery |
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BLM-1 Li-ion Battery |
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| Battery Life |
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Approx. 650 shots |
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| Width |
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5.35 in |
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| Height |
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3.6 in |
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| Depth |
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2.67 in |
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| Weight |
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16.2 oz |
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| Release Date |
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June 2007 |
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More Olympus EVOLT E-510 Articles
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July/August 2007
Best Buy: Olympus EVOLT E-510 |
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August 2007
This light, tight, 10MP DSLR delivers beautiful images at an even prettier price. |
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August 2007
This 10-megapixel, advanced enthusiast DSLR is a major improvement over the Evolt E-330 for sports action. |
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May 2007
How to pack 10 megapixels, live preview with AF, and image stabilization into a small and inexpensive DSLR. |
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March 2007
Olympus enters the sub-$1000, 10MP DSLR market with the E-410 and the sensor-stabilized E-510. |
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User Reviews
Here's how our visitors have reviewed this camera.
RATINGS |
AVERAGE RATINGS |
Overall quality |
8.67
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Ease of use |
8.56
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Fit and finish |
9.22
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Click-to-click speed |
8.11
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Display quality |
8.89
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Flash quality |
7.56
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Image quality |
9
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Overall value |
9.56
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RATING SCALE: 1 = WORST 10 = BEST |
Read other reviews
Submit your own review
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