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7.4 out of 10

Olympus EVOLT E-510

10.0 megapixels

Information found in: from 118 sources in 22 countries

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  • User Score (719)
    9.1 9.1 from 719 reviewers
  • Expert Score (32)
    8.5 8.5 from 32 reviewers
  • Design (17)
    7.2 7.2 from 17 reviewers
  • Value for money (54)
    7.5 7.5 from 54 reviewers
  • Features (40)
    7.5 7.5 from 40 reviewers
  • Ease of use (53)
    6.8 6.8 from 53 reviewers
  • Performance (97)
    7.2 7.2 from 97 reviewers
  • Picture quality (121)
    7.3 7.3 from 121 reviewers
  • Durability (18)
    7.0 7.0 from 18 reviewers
  • Overall quality (14)
    7.2 7.2 from 14 reviewers
  • Playability (12)
    7.1 7.1 from 12 reviewers
  • Battery performance (18)
    6.3 6.3 from 18 reviewers
  • Display (88)
    6.0 6.0 from 88 reviewers
  • Video quality (6)
    7.5 7.5 from 6 reviewers
  • Ergonomics (88)
    7.7 7.7 from 88 reviewers
  • Equipment (4)
    7.9 7.9 from 4 reviewers
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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(16)
7-8
(16)
5-6
(0)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(416)
7-8
(149)
5-6
(27)
3-4
(1)
1-2
(8)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. What Digital Camera

    What Digital Camera
    9.0/10
    2 December 2007

    In-camera image stabilisation and dust-reduction figure prominently on most enthusiasts DSLR shopping lists, but all too often we see one without the other, or we get a weak compromise. Read more

    • Noise control, Dual mode, image stabilisation, live view LCD mode, Supersonic Wave Filter.
    • SHQ JPEG burst depth slightly limited, limited dynamic range.

  2. Digitaltrends

    Digitaltrends
    8.0/10
    27 August 2007

    The Olympus Evolt E-510 which we review, is a 10MP digital SLR that's great for novices or those without an extensive lens collection. Read more

    • Solid 10MP D-SLR; quick response; Live View
    • Live View; menu system needs updating

  3. Camera Labs

    Camera Labs
    8.9/10
    1 June 2007

    The Olympus E-510 is arguably the most feature-packed DSLR in its class, ticking almost every box on the wish-lists of new DSLR buyers. You get 10 Megapixels in a relatively light and compact form factor, the option of one or... Read more

    • Built-in Anti-Shake works with any lens., Very effective anti-dust system., Unique Live View facility., Easy access to settings.
    • Smaller viewfinder than rivals., Can't see stabilisation in optical viewfinder., Some may not like motorised manual focus., Screen doesn't flip-out.

  4. Imaging Resource

    Imaging Resource
    6 November 2007

    With a better grip, image stabilization, a big battery, and all the optical benefits of the Four-Thirds system under its belt, the Olympus E-510 is currently the most well-rounded choice among Four-Thirds SLR cameras. Read more

    • Small and light compared to competing designs, Excellent lens beats others in its class, Lens is sharp corner to corner, Wide range of Four-Thirds optics to choose from, Image stabilization works well, helps indoors, Live ...
    • Slow startup and shut-down times, Live View mode is very slow, introducing extreme shutter lag, Optical viewfinder is small and information is displayed off to the right, rather than beneath the image, Has trouble focusing...

  5. PC World

    PC World
    8.0/10
    29 August 2007

    This SLR offers many Read more

    • Live View mode to compose shots with LCD, Supports both Compact Flash and xD cards
    • Difficult access to advanced functions, No manual focus switch on lens

  • User Reviews

  1. Great camera kit!

    Amazon
    10/10
    Reviewer: taggart, Amazon
    18 July 2011

    Bought this in 2007 and it's still going strong as the day I got it! The 2-kit lenses compliment this system well, giving sharp pictures and nice colors. Read more

  2. Olympus EVOLT E-510

    8.0/10
    Reviewer: jay989, pcworld.com
    3 weeks ago

    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... Read more

    • 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.
    • 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 .

  3. Love the camera

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

    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. Read more

    • Anti-shake really works, Bright LCD, Comfortable Controls, LIghtweight, Picture Quality, Quiet, Small Lag Time, Strong Construction
    • Saving settings

  4. Awesome DSLR

    Newegg
    10/10
    Reviewer: Paul, Newegg
    2 November 2008

    I upgraded this camera from the Oly e300 dlsr. I purchased it at Circuit City. I got an amazing deal on it. Would recommend getting this camera if you are just getting into dslr and don't have any any lenses to put on the... Read more

    • One of the main selling points of this camera is the built in image stabilization which is built into the camera vs. the lens. The reason that the former is better than the latter is that any lens hooked up to the camera i...
    • None so far.

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

    CNET
    9.0/10
    Reviewer: marsands, CNET
    6 March 2009

    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. Read more

    • Crisp photos, fits very weill in the hand. Two lens kit is amazing! Spend a little bit of time with this camera and you will be very impressed. Save yourself considerable cash with this camera.
    • Need to spend a little time getting to know this camera in order to take the best possible pictures.

  • WikiFreak Description

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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  • Manufacturer's Description

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

  • Alternative names
    E510
  • 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
    8 January 2007

Ask the community

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Questions asked: 1 Answers: 0

Previous questions about this product

  • E-510 external controls

    I want to use E-510 with an external monitor on live view while shooting, and want to know what USB pins are available for remote control. Saw article showing focus/exposure option and trigger option. Any other options? Cheers, Matthew

    (No answers yet. Write an answer!) 2008-12-10

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