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9.4 out of 10

Olympus E-520

10.0 megapixels, first seen: 10 February 2008

Information found in: from 146 sources in 25 countries.

Great Deal: $428.88

  • User Score (257)
    9.3 9.3 from 257 reviewers
  • Expert Score (32)
    7.9 7.9 from 32 reviewers
  • Design (7)
    10 10 from 7 reviewers
  • Value for money (23)
    9.6 9.6 from 23 reviewers
  • Features (15)
    9.9 9.9 from 15 reviewers
  • Ease of use (19)
    9.5 9.5 from 19 reviewers
  • Performance (3)
    9.2 9.2 from 3 reviewers
  • Picture quality (13)
    9.2 9.2 from 13 reviewers
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Pros & Cons

  • good short cuts, powerful bundled software, fourthirds system, excellent anti dust casing, access to great lenses
  • proprietary cable required, menus still too complicated, autofocus too slow, slow focus using led, banding at highest sensitivities

10 megapixel, 1x optical zoom, 1x digital zoom, USB, CompactFlash I/II, Microdrive, xD picture card, 2.7 inch LCD.

Specifications

  • Format
    SLR
  • Max resolution
    3648 x 2736
  • Low resolution
    3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480
  • Image ratio w:h
    4:3
  • Effective pixels
    10.0 million
  • Sensor photo detectors
    11.8 million
  • Sensor size
    4/3 " (18.00 x 13.50 mm, 2.43 cm²)
  • Pixel density
    4.1 MP/cm²
  • Sensor type
    NMOS
  • Sensor manufacturer
    Matsushita

Release Date

  • First seen
    10 February 2008

The Olympus E-520’s Image Stabilization technology is built into the camera body to produce clear, sharp and blur-free images. This camera weighs just 7.5 ounces and measures 5.35×3.6-x2.68-inches. Its Autofocus Live View brings subject into sharp focus. Olympus E-520 offers users faster continuous shooting speeds (3.5 vs 3.0 fps).

The Shadow Adjustment Technology of the Olympus E-520 is programmed to work automatically when using Face Detection Mode, Live View and in Scene-Select Modes. The Olympu…

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The Olympus E-520’s Image Stabilization technology is built into the camera body to produce clear, sharp and blur-free images. This camera weighs just 7.5 ounces and measures 5.35×3.6-x2.68-inches. Its Autofocus Live View brings subject into sharp focus. Olympus E-520 offers users faster continuous shooting speeds (3.5 vs 3.0 fps).

The Shadow Adjustment Technology of the Olympus E-520 is programmed to work automatically when using Face Detection Mode, Live View and in Scene-Select Modes. The Olympus dust reduction system uses a Supersonic Wave Filter which silently vibrates 30,000 times per second, thereby preventing Dust. Its HyperCrystal™ II Technology provides the users with a wider angle of view on the LCD enabling them to see it up to 176 degrees off-center.

The 10-mega pixel Live-MOS image sensor’s high dynamic range, helps to capture images with great details even at high ISO settings. The Face Detection Technology helps to track and focus on up-to eight faces. The Underwater Housing PT-E05 allows users to take the E-520 to depths of 130 feet. Olympus Zuiko Digital lenses provide edge-to-edge pixel-perfect images.

Olympus E-520 comes with 20 SCENE-SELECT MODES which every almost every imaginable shooting scenario possible. The E-520’s TruePic III Image Processor allows user to shoot crystal-clear photos and this processor also lowers image noise. The E-520 is compatible with the Olympus FL-50R and FL-36R wireless electronic flashes and when used in combination with the E-520, wireless multi-flash photography is possible.

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  • Reviews of Olympus E-520

  1. Olympus E-520 Review

    Reviewer: Digital Camera Review
    9 June 2008

    In terms of overall approach, the E-520 may well be the most flexible consumer DSLR we've reviewed this year: whereas the Read more

  2. Reviewer: DP Review
    20 August 2008
    Overall 8
    8.2
    Value for money 9
    8.5
    Features 9
    8.5
    Performance 9
    8.5
    Picture quality 8
    8.0
     

    Review based on a production E-520 The Olympus E-520 is a refreshed version of Olympus's upper-entry-level camera, the E-510. As such it's a slightly bulked-up E-420 with image stabilization, which makes it one of the most feature-packed and customizable cameras available for under £500/$800. It loses some of its sibling's compact chic but offers a bigger, longer-lasting battery and a more familiar grip shape to those people familiar with contemporary DSLRs. Read more

  3. Olympus E-520

    Reviewer: Camera Labs
    1 June 2008
    Overall 9
    8.7
     

    The Olympus E-520 is the successor to one of the most popular DSLRs of the past year. With the earlier E-510, Olympus packed 10 Megapixel resolution, image stabilisation, live view, effective anti-dust and a broad array of controls and customisation into a compact, affordable body; the kit lens was pretty good too. Subsequent discounting saw the E-510 with a decent twin lens bundle fall to the price of many rivals with only one lens, and become a justified best-seller.... Read more

  4. Reviews: Olympus E-520, 10 megapixels, 2.7 inch LCD screen, auto focus with Live View

    Reviewer: Electronics Made Easy
    20 August 2009
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    If you're ready to replace your stripped-down entry-level DSLR, or taking a step up from the point and shoot world, the Olympus E-520 definitely deserves a hard look. It has all the features of any of its upper entry-level competition, and you just can't beat the price with the kit lens. If you can live with the small viewfinder (Live View helps here) and shoot mostly in good lighting, then this could be the right DSLR for you. Read more

  5. Olympus EVOLT E-520

    Reviewer: DigitalCameraInfo.com
    29 July 2008

    The Olympus EVOLT E-520 is a 10-megapixel entry-level SLR that features the best Live View in its price class and noteworthy color accuracy. It delivers a range of useful features, good automatic controls for those new to SLR photography as well as extensive customization options for experienced users. While the E-520 shoots very well in bright lighting, it fares poorly in low light and at high ISO settings, producing noisy photos with  limited dynamic range. The camera... Read more

  1. A very enjoyable camera!!!

    Reviewer: Beatle Bass, J&R
    28 May 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    This is my first D-SLR, but I've had really good film cameras since 1977. My recent being a Canon AE-1, which is at least 33 years old. I researched many D-SLRs, and the total package with the Olympus 40-150 ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6 zoom lens, was a great deal. Yes, the total package was the deciding factor for me. My favorite features would be the short cut buttons on the camera body. The flash control button is great and lets the user change settings very... Read more

  2. "best bang for the buck camera with 2 lenses for 499"

    Reviewer: CNET
    21 June 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    I would recommend it for anybody as an entry level dslr over canon and nikon. Everybody writes about noise issue I have yet to experience it May be if you are a pro and going to be blowing 20x30 or larger pics may be then it is a problem. But, for everyday armature use it is great Read more

  3. Great DSLR

    Reviewer: Amazon
    3 February 2010 See Product at Amazon ($899.98)
    Overall 10
    10
     

    This is an outstanding kit at an unbeatable price. The lenses alone are worth the price of the entire kit. If you're really into photography and want to upgrade from a super zoom point and shoot, this is the kit to get!!. It is really a mid level featured DSLR with the price of an entry level. The only features that really set it into the entry level category are its lack of ruggedness and lower pixelage, but if you are not a journalist covering a story at a battlefield... Read more or see product

  4. Reviewer: DP Review
    3 January 2010
    Overall 9
    9.4
     

    I've had the e520 for a couple weeks now. I have had some Canon and Nikon DSLRs and decided to try Olympus because of what you get for your money. I would definitely recommend Olympus to anyone looking for an entry or mid-level DSLR. Read more

  5. Nice mid level camera

    Reviewer: Epinions
    12 April 2009
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    I bought the E-520 as an upgrade to my E-500. I wanted to try out the Live View and have larger megapixel count. Now after months of usage, the Live View is never used because the Auto Focus is way too slow and eats the batteries up. However, the unit does take great pictures and the LCD screen is sharp! The unit fits better in my hand than the E-500. I do appreciate that Olympus used the same batteries and charger for the two units. Read more

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