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7.2 out of 10

Olympus EVOLT E-510

10.0 megapixels, first seen: 5 March 2007

Information found in: from 139 sources in 27 countries.

Great Deal: $529.99

  • User Score (439)
    9.1 9.1 from 439 reviewers
  • Expert Score (53)
    8.1 8.1 from 53 reviewers
  • Design (20)
    7.0 7.0 from 20 reviewers
  • Value for money (40)
    7.4 7.4 from 40 reviewers
  • Features (35)
    7.4 7.4 from 35 reviewers
  • Ease of use (54)
    7.0 7.0 from 54 reviewers
  • Performance (5)
    6.5 6.5 from 5 reviewers
  • Picture quality (34)
    7.1 7.1 from 34 reviewers
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Pros & Cons

  • programmable function fn button, great 4 3camera, lg lcd, 2 lenses, superb kit lenses
  • imperfect live view, annoying illuminating flash, three point focus only, exposure issues, below par autofocus

The Olympus EVOLT E-510 digital SLR is a great camera to help you evolve as a photographer. Only Olympus digital SLRs are engineered to be 100-percent digital. Simply put, this means your pictures will have stunning edge-to-edge sharpness that can’t be beat. Olympus’ Live View LCD technology is a unique feature that enhances your picture-taking experience.

Specifications

  • Product Type
    Product type
  • Effective Pixels number
    Effective Pixels number
  • Image Pickup Unit
    Product type
  • Recording
    Recording format
  • Viewfinder
    Product type
  • Live View
    Live View
  • Image stabilizer
    System
  • LCD Display
    Product type
  • Focusing
    AF system
  • Exposure Control
    Metering system

Release Date

  • First seen
    5 March 2007

The Olympus Evolt E-510 is known to be the most feature-rich entry level DSLR that is available on the market today. As a matter of fact, it is the upgraded and more advanced version of the Olympus Evolt E-410. Features like the 4/3 10 megapixel Live MOS sensor, the Zuiko Digital lens mount and a 2.5-inch monitor that offers Live View remain intact. Whereas other remaining features like the built-in image stabilizer and other internal features are all new and advanced. With its sensor-shift image stabil…

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The Olympus Evolt E-510 is known to be the most feature-rich entry level DSLR that is available on the market today. As a matter of fact, it is the upgraded and more advanced version of the Olympus Evolt E-410. Features like the 4/3 10 megapixel Live MOS sensor, the Zuiko Digital lens mount and a 2.5-inch monitor that offers Live View remain intact. Whereas other remaining features like the built-in image stabilizer and other internal features are all new and advanced. With its sensor-shift image stabilization and live view mode (LCD preview) operation have certainly made the Olympus Evolt E-510 a success. The sensor-shift image stabilization is effective in such a way that its dust reduction makes the images produced clean and sharp. Another ‘silent’ feature is the Turbo III processor, which ensures that the noise produced when taking a picture, remains as low as possible. Even though with stiff competitions against other brands, the Olympus Evolt E-510 still managed to score among photographers. The live view preview mode is available for users to mimic the way they frame a shot with a compact camera and scene presets in case you’re not comfortable enough to set exposure using the program, aperture- and shutter-priority, and manual shooting modes that are the norm among SLR shooters. The Olympus E-510 is known to users as a very capable camera. It does give good results even in bad weather. Its build quality is both good and well-handled. Though it does have negative reviews from a certain user who said that the Olympus Evolt E-510 is a disappointment, he also added that he wanted to be able to take better pictures but got plagued with out of focus, under and over exposed junk shots. That is just the opinion of one person but so far the other users of the Olympus Evolt E-510 have been enjoying this camera.

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  • Reviews of Olympus EVOLT E-510

  1. Olympus E-510

    Reviewer: Neo Camera
    12 August 2007
    Overall 10
    10
     

    Although not without flaws, the Olympus E-510 and Olympus E-410 bring Olympus' DSLR cameras in line with the competition. While previous Olympus DSLR cameras featured noticeably more noise than other brands, the E-510 shows less image noise than its predecessors while the competition started showing a bit more noise and loss of details with the introduction of their 10 megapixels DSLR models. Still, the E-510 does have inherently more noise than the competition but... Read more

  2. Olympus E510

    Reviewer: Think Camera
    18 October 2007
    Overall 9
    9.0
    Design 9
    9.0
    Value for money 9
    9.0
    Features 9
    9.0
    Ease of use 8
    8.0
    Picture quality 9
    9.0
     

    The E-510 is ideal if you're looking to buy a relatively small and portable DSLR that's packed out with enough features to keep you happy. Plus it's a Four Thirds camera system - the only existing DSLR camera standard, meaning you can utilise a whole range of compatible lenses without a manufacturer-specific bias. Read more

  3. Reviewer: DP Review
    23 November 2007
    Overall 9
    8.7
    Value for money 9
    9.0
    Features 9
    9.0
    Performance 9
    9.0
    Picture quality 9
    8.5
     

    Review based on a production E-510 Just before PMA in March 2007 Olympus lifted the curtain on two new Four-Thirds system compact digital SLRs, the E-410 (reviewed here in June) and this model, the E-510 (which is essentially a replacement for the well regarded E-500). Although the E-510 has much in common with its little brother, including an all-new (Matsushita) Live MOS Image Sensor that can provide Full Time Live-View on the LCD monitor and an updated TruePic image... Read more

  4. Olympus E510

    Reviewer: Wired
    9 July 2007
    Overall 9
    9.0
     

    Snap into a Beefy Shooter Olympus may not make the slimmest or sexiest SLRs on the market, but it does manage to pack a lot of photographic oomph into its beefy shooters. And the new 10-megapixel E-510 is no exception. Heir apparent to the E-500, this SLR retains its predecessor's live-view LCD and dust management, but also adds a re-vamped in-camera image stabilizer, gentle but proficient noise reduction, and a new hyper-sophisticated metering system. But it's the... Read more

  5. Olympus Evolt E-510 (with 14-42mm and 40-150mm lenses)

    Reviewer: CNET
    11 September 2007
    Overall 7
    7.0
    Design 8
    8.0
    Features 8
    8.0
    Performance 6
    6.0
    Picture quality 7
    7.0
     

    The bottom line: The Olympus Evolt E-510 has quirky exposure and white-balance issues, but its Live View and Image Stabilization modes may make some photographers give this SLR a chance. Read more

  1. I've finally got there...

    Reviewer: Jawbone, CameraWorld.com
    16 August 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    I feel they have hit it on the nail head with this Camera..I've been a Olympus fan for some time, and have a few Cameras, but this E-510 has hit right where it needed to be..Cost wise, how it handles, and all the options.. I've yet in 6 months or so, been thru all the bells and whistles it offers..And that is a good thing..Don't be afraid to knock it around and use it..Take mny and keep a few is my motto.. Way to go Olympus, you dd it as far as I'm concerned.. Thank You... Read more

  2. Love the camera

    Reviewer: AG, J&R
    19 June 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    Great balance of features, size/weight and price. Takes good pictures, controls are easy to use. Better on-screen descriptions of menu options and settings would help. The camera doesn't remember the setting changes after the power's off. There may be a way around this, but I haven't figured it out yet. Read more

  3. "Amazing camera for the price. Better than Canon."

    Reviewer: CNET
    6 March 2009
    Overall 9
    9.0
     

    Stop reading reviews and buy this camera. Confused between this camera and the over advertised and praised Canon cameras and other "brand names"? You will not be sorry you bought this camera. I am very impressed with photo quality and love the feel and layout of this camera. Read more

  4. Great SLR camera!

    Reviewer: Dorca N. Cobian, Amazon
    22 November 2008 See Product at Amazon ($529.99)
    Overall 10
    10
     

    I bought the Olympus Evolt e 500 for over a year ago. After reviewed other options I decided to go with Olympus, which I use with the Zuiko 18-180 lens. This camera is great, colors and exposure are excellent, it has many settings to choose from to achieve a great capture. I have been trying other SLR like Nikon and Canon, which are the best brands in the market and also much more expensier, I woud say Olympus does the same work with great quality for an affordable... Read more or see product

  5. Reviewer: DP Review
    9 February 2010
    Overall 10
    9.6
     

    I have recently upgraded from an E-410 and although I received excelent results from the E-410, the E-510 is easier to hold and has an outstanding image stabilization system. Read more

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