Olympus EVOLT E-510 Black Digital Camera Kit

Nikon D40x

EVOLT E-510 Black Digital Camera Kit Review, by Rick LePage August 29, 2007

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• Reviewed by: Chad IL

  Strengths: - Relatively Compact Size, Lighter, Relatively Lower Price among 10.0MP SLR Cameras, Built-in Stabilization, Anti-Dust, and Live view

  Weaknesses: Auto focus function is simple, but relatively inferior to compativle models from Canon or Nicon DSLR cameras.

  Overall: This is a great buy for its price. My wife loves this camera because it is a bit lighter than expected. Because some gadgets like an Olympus remote control, XD memory cards are compatible with this E-510, I can continue using these parts from my old Olympus Digital Cameras. I bought new CompactFlash 4G memory card for this new camera and am also using my old XD card as an emergency backup. This camera allows you to have both memory cards loaded at the same time and you can choose which one you would use at any time. And happy with the purchase!

• Reviewed by:

  Strengths: Really good feel and comfortable grip. Great low light features even took it in a closed closet with no light and took a photo that came out looking like the closet light had been on all the time.

  Weaknesses: None so far

  Overall: I have followed Olympus and their models from the E-20N, C-8080, E-500, and now the E-510. I'm called Mr. Olympus due to all the models I have purchased. I use each for certain functions, and have to admit that the E-510 is by far the top contender here. I can only imagine what the new E-3 will render!

• Reviewed by: visvaram

  Strengths: Light weight, additional features like dust control and live view, less noise, good day light pictures, customer support.

  Weaknesses: In live view separate button to auto focus, cannot take good pictures out of the box, 3 focus points, anti shake doesnt work effectively in low light conidition.

  Overall: I bought this camera 3 weeks before. Initially I was not statisfied with the performance (since I am new to SLR), but later speaking with customer care I improved myself. There are lot of controls to take a good picture.Features are good but in live view half way click doesnt focus the subject, we have to click a separate button for that (AEL) which is annoying for me. So most of the time I use only view finder.In low lighting condition the anti shake doesnt work effectively (in 1/15 sec shutter speed or more). Excellent day light pictures with very less noise (in ISO 100). Image quality and color depth is also very good.Overall satified with image quality and value for the money.

• Reviewed by: vondauster

  Strengths: Effective anti-shake and dust reduction. Fast in use. Good low light performace. Meter bang-on accurate. 4/3rds optics are top notch, and the kit lenses are much improved.

  Weaknesses: None so far.

  Overall: It is odd for me to write a review after only one week of (heavy professional shooting with this camera, but there is not a lot of information out on the market yet. Be aware that I shoot only RAW capture, so YMMV with jpegs. The camera does allow a relative uncompressed jpeg setting, though which is a good sign for those of you using jpeg. Like many Olympus-using professionals, I've been frustrated with the slow process of replacing the now very dated, though indestructible, E-1. This camera is a significant improvement performance wise over the E-1 in every area with the exceptions of water sealing and the viewfinder (which is not bad). Its autoficus is fast: I prefer to use the center focus point exclusively, having cut my teeth on Leica Ms, and I detect absolutely no lag versus Canons prosumer bodies (20D, 30D). The effective Olympus dust reduction seems faster on start up than previous E series cameras as well. Note that the display no longer shows the "shaking sensor" graphic of previous E bodies, there is only a tiny light at the top of the camera that flashes blue at startup to indicate the sensor cleaning is taking place. It is certainly the best of the current Olympus line up, and clearly superior to the Panasonic and Leica branded 4/3rds. Time will tell if it will hold up to heavy use as well as my E-330, but I'm very pleased with the results thus far.

• Reviewed by: jay989

  Strengths: Versatility,Control,Takes Compact Flash as well as XD. lightweight,(Excellent Quality and color)(10 mg pixel photos)point and shoot in a SLR,Makes a 400mm lense an 800mm cause of the 4 thirds sensor.

  Weaknesses: Liveview makes camera slow (no problem). DO NOT Drop it!!! Of course this goes for all Cameras. Image stabilization seems weak with 40-150 telephoto .

  Overall: I've had this camera for about a week and it takes awesome quality photos as OLYMPUS Allways does. Has Many controls.In Camera Edit. Transfer of pics from the compact flash card to the XD card.In Camera File edit.RAW to JPEG ETC.... A GREAT VALUE For $1000.00 VS $2000.00 for a Nikon d200 !!!!!!!!!!!!!! OLYMPUS Online and Phone Support is AWESOME.