Olympus E-510 Review

Olympus E-510 is a DSLR camera entry-level with a 4/3” sensor. It went on sale in 2007. It was considered a technological novelty, though even now, its functionality worthy of respect.

Olympus E-510 Key Specifications

Dimensions: 135 x 91 x 69 mm

Weight (without lens): 535 g with battery

Sensor: Live MOS

Sensor dynamic range: 10 Evs

Resolution: 10 megapixels

Sensor dimensions: 17.3 x 13.0 mm

Crop factor: 2

Viewfinder Field Coverage: 95%

Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 ­­– 60 sec, BULB

Auto Focus Points (Zones) Qty: 3

Focusing modes: S-AF, C-AF, MF, S-AF+MF. C-AF+MF

Continuous Shooting Speed: 3 frames per second

ISO range: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, Auto

Image Recording Format: JPEG, RAW

Photo maximal size: 3200x2400 px

LCD-display: 2.5″ (resolution 230 000 px).

Power: Li-On BLM-1 battery  

Olympus E-510 Ergonomics and Functionality

The camera housing is made of high-quality plastic. The dimensions of the camera are not different from any other entry-level DSLR camera. 

View with Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3,5-5,6 ED

The right side camera has a handle that provides a comfortable grip.  On top of the right side is traditionally placed the shutter button, the button below the exposure compensation dial on selecting the shooting mode, the on/off switch, and the control dial. Above left, there are two buttons — activating the built-in flash and shooting modes: Continuous, shutter release delay, and control with the remote control.

The camera can shoot at a maximum rate of 3 frames per second—such speed in most primary DSLR cameras.

The view with Olympus Zuiko Digital 40-150mm 1:4-5,6 ED and elevated flash Behind the camera is placed on the LCD screen measuring 2.5 inches with a resolution of 230 000 points, left of the display 4 buttons photos, delete photos, MENU button INFO. I note that I have not found as much as possible to increase the viewed image, for example, to check the sharpness of the image. It seemed to be uncomfortable. Built-in flash guide number - 12 at ISO 100. There is also a hot shoe for an external flash.

Behind the camera placed a 2.5” LCD with a resolution of 230 000 points, left of the display 4 buttons: view photos, delete photos, MENU, INFO. I note that I have not found as much as possible to zoom the viewed image, for example, to check the sharpness. It seemed to be uncomfortable.

Right are located buttons: IS - Image Stabilizer The camera is equipped with optical image stabilization, which helps to reduce the amount of vibration and avoids camera shake significantly. This allows the camera to take a much longer shutter speed than usual. You can select two modes of stabilization and treatment without the stabilizer.

Plus, this stabilizer will work perfectly for all lenses to be used, including manual lenses. This bonus is not available in Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras, where stabilizers are installed in the lens.

14mm 1/3 sec, ISO 400 handheld

Example with Image stabilizer mode IS2

Comparison of stabilizer modes. Crop 100% of the same place LiveView button Now, this option is at all DSLR camera models. Many photographers use LiveView mode for more precise manual focus or when you can not look through the viewfinder. Under the thumb in a circle placed 4 buttons: Exposure Metering, White Balance, Autofocus mode, ISO; on the center circle is button OK.

The camera has 5 exposure metering modes: center-weighted, partial, spot, spot (high key), spot (low key). Top placed under the control dial button Fn - programmable button, and choosing the point of focus (auto, left, center, right). To select the focus point, you have to press this button and turn the dial. It is very inconvenient because you need to break your eye away from the viewfinder and one-handed clamp the button to scroll through the other hand. Such an interface will not do to "combat" conditions, such as reportage shooting. Good except for a leisurely shooting. Bottom-placed mini USB slot for downloading photos. This arrangement was unusual to me, but it is not so much, such as auto-focus area selection, which I used to use all the time.

The right thumb is a compartment for memory cards. The camera supports two types of cards: CompactFlash (I & II) and XD Picture. When you open the card compartment camera signals this and blocks it until the lid will not close. As a user of Nikon DSLR cameras, I was easy to understand the interface with Olympus E-510. When you turn off the camera emits unusual sounds, this is SuperSonic Wave Filter system works shaking off the dust. It shakes off the dust from the sensor. I read that it works very well and shakes off the dust better than Nikon and Canon cameras. It is excellent, especially if you often change lenses. Also, when you turn on the camera, shake off the dust from the mirror, but it happens silently.  

Olympus E-510 Battery

The camera is equipped with a Li-Ion battery BLM-1. The battery lasts for about 600 shots in normal mode—the average charging time of about 5 hours.   

Olympus E-510 Sensor

The camera features a 10 megapixel Live MOS sensor. It has a size of 17.3 x 13.0 mm and a crop factor of 2. This is certainly better than a superzoom, but cameras with an APS-C sensor lose. As a user of Nikon APS-C cameras, I can see the difference; for me, the size of the sensor plays a key role in the selection of the camera. The depth of color that the sensor can reproduce is 21.2 bit by version dxomark.com.  

 Olympus E-510 Example Photos

Al examples are taken without post-processing. JPG mode, resize only. Photographed by kit lenses Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3,5-5,6 ED and Olympus Zuiko Digital 40-150mm 1:4-5,6 ED

42mm 1/100 sec. ISO 200

25mm 1/100 sec. ISO 100

The camera reproduces a beautiful color, a bit like the picture of a CCD sensor.

42mm 1/40 sec. ISO 100

14mm 1/320 sec. ISO 100

You can see the exposure dynamic range of the sensor. Stabilization mode IS2

14mm 1/3sec. ISO 400 Hand Held IS2 Stabilizer Mode

14mm 1/60 sec. ISO 400 Indoor Shooting

42mm 1/320 sec. ISO 100

30mm 1/250 sec. ISO 100

42mm 1/640 sec. ISO 100

42mm 1/320 sec. ISO 100

It seemed that the sensor gives no good detail, such as the Nikon D80 sensor with the same number of megapixels. Obviously, it affects the physical size of the sensor.

123mm 1/100 sec. ISO 400

40mm 1/400 sec. ISO 400

The colors in cloudy weather

40mm 1/1250 sec. ISO 400

Summary

Olympus E-510 is an already outdated DSLR camera. But even now, it is happy with its work and image quality. It is good for home and family as well as the first DSLR camera for training.