Latest - Review and Sample Photos by Steves Digicams (added 18 October’08)
Olympus E-520 is a 10 megapixel DSLR digital camera and it features a 2.7 inch LCD, in-body image stabilization, shadow adjustment technology and an ISO range from 100 to 1600.
Loading ...
Read More Reviews - (updated 18 October’08)
Steves Digicams“Life moves too fast to spend time worrying about dust ruining the perfect image. To help battle this, the E-520 offers Olympus’ proven Dust Reduction System. It produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter.”
PopPhoto
“For a Four Thirds system enthusiast, the Olympus E-520 is a no-brainer — you get much of the performance and controls of the flagship E-3 for nearly $1,000 less.”
Digital Camera HQ
“Where the E-520 truly shines is in collecting all of the features available on the current entry-level dSLR market in a single device, and in doing many of them better than the competition. Where it stumbles is in the basics: image sharpness, detail, and noise control.”
DCResource
“All things considered, the Olympus E-520 is a good, but not spectacular digital SLR. Whether you’re a first-time D-SLR buyer or someone moving up from an older model, it offers excellent value for your money. I can certainly recommend the E-520, though I’d take a close look at the competition before you buy anything.”
DPExpert
“There is nothing cut-down about this camera. It has all the functions a serious photographer expects, in a small and light system of body and lenses. Focus, exposure and white balance are good. Ergonomics – the placing of external controls around the body – are good.”
Buy-n-Shoot
“Overall image quality was rated very high with fine colour reproduction, while noise among the higher range of ISO does become obvious. 20 scene modes are included – again, to help buff the transition from compact to DSLR - while manual, program, shutter and aperture priority modes expand shooting possibilities for the more advanced user.”
DPReview
“It’s a perfectly good camera with a great feature-set that does many things very well. Unfortunately, there are cameras for the same money that offer better viewfinders, increased dynamic range, better high-ISO performance, more flexible RAW files and, ultimately, sharper images.”
Rating: 
GoodGearGuide
“Unfortunately, menu is quite convoluted at times and we needed to refer to the manual more than once during the test period. There are a host of buttons, which may be confronting for some beginners.”
Rating:
Pocket-lint
“A superb feature set and great handling plus great image quality are combined in a camera that is a great price and available in a variety of lens kits to suit almost any photographers desires.”
Rating:
PhotoReview
“Picture taken with the test camera were similar to those from the E-420, which isn’t surprising as both cameras have the same sensor and image processing system. Test shots in outdoor lighting were bright and colourful although some highlight details were lost in very contrasty situations.”
Overall, Review was Favorable: 
PhotographyBlog
“So, is the Olympus E-520 the perfect camera then? Well, not quite. The viewfinder – an important part of any SLR – is just as small as the one built into the E-510. I am pretty sure Olympus could have upped its magnification by sacrificing some brightness, but they have chosen not to.”
Rating: 
DigitalCameraInfo
“The E-520 is a camera that manages to package a significant number of excellent features and solid controls into a great body, but really let itself down in our performance testing. There’s one of the best Live View modes on the market (with auto focus), a good image stabilization system that’s built into the body, comprehensive presets and a high degree of customization and control.”
Overall, Review was Favorable:
LetsGoDigital
“Innovative is the word for the Olympus E-520, and where possible, this camera has been improved on essential points. Therefore, we really do like this camera; it is a beautiful tool to perform DSLR photography on quite a high level.”
Rating:
CameraLabs
“So while it’s disappointing Olympus hasn’t made any major changes, like boosting the resolution, improving the AF system, enlarging the viewfinder, or fitting a flip-out screen, it’s testament to the earlier E-510’s specs that by making a few small enhancements, the E-520 remains a serious contender.”
Rating:
DigitalCameraReview
“Out of all of this, the obvious concern about the E-520’s versatility may be that it tries to do too much without ever landing cleanly in a niche or target market. That said, although I never fully connected with its odd yet somehow highly functional mixture of beginner swag and advanced-am swagger, the Olympus E-520 delivers crisp, colorful shots that are hard to argue with.”
Overall, Review was Favorable:
Biofos
“It’s a little too early to conclude anything yet other than the E-520 appears to have the potential of being a world beating camera in its class. There’s a few things I want to check out further such as noise at raised ISO and the effect of noise reduction and Shadow Adjustment Technology. But if it performs anything like the E-3 it will be fine.”
Overall, Review was Favorable:
TrustedReviews
“This isn’t a major upgrade by any means and wouldn’t warrant a switch from the E-510, but if you’re looking for a feature packed midrange DSLR, the E-520 is worth considering. The improvements, particularly the new image stabilization mode and autofocus accuracy of Live Modes show that these important technologies are still being perfected, and the latest versions on the E-520 are pretty much as good as they get at the moment.”
Rating:
ePhotozine
“First impressions are important, as that’s where most of us make a decision in the camera shop. As soon as I picked up the camera I was on the wrong footing. Had someone forgot to add the meat to the flesh? The light weight sent out the wrong signal.”
Rating:
Actual Owner Feedback
“If you are considering buying a more expensive camera and are NOT doing professional studio work, I would say; don’t waste your money. Get this camera, because you will be impressed.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I evaluated the Canon 40D and new EOS XSI before stumbling onto this little beauty. I can argue that it takes just as good pictures as the 40D - at least in my hands. It’s smaller than the Canons and for the price, an incredible deal.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“Just got this SLR today,have owned many Past & Present. First thoughts are this is a TOP Notch Step Up in a Digital SLR Camera.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“This is my first DSLR. I bought this and the Canon XSI at the same time and tried them both for a week. To make a long story short, I returned the XSI and kept the E520.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos at DCResource]
[Sample Photos at DPReview]
[Sample Photos at Pocket-lint]
[Sample Photos at PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Photos at DigitalCameraInfo]
[Sample Photos at LetGoDigital]
[Sample Photos at CameraLabs]
[Sample Photos at TrustedReviews]
Specifications
[Official Olympus Specifications]
Owners Manual
Press Excerpt
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 13, 2008 – The new Olympus E-520 digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera delivers brilliant images thanks to advanced technologies that help take the blur out. Industry leading Image Stabilization built into the portable camera body compensates for movement so that images are sharp and blur-free with any lens and even at slow shutter speeds. Autofocus Live View brings subjects into sharp focus on the camera’s HyperCrystal™ II LCD. Together, these technologies produce amazing results, along with the following features that further expand the DSLR experience:
- In-Body Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive™ technology provides blur-free images when using any of the more than 30 digital-specific lenses;
- Face Detection Technology targets and locks on faces to ensure they are in focus and blur-free for amazing portraits;
- Shadow Adjustment Technology opens up detail in the shadows that other cameras would render too dark or underexposed while maintaining detail in the highlights; and
- Perfect Shot Preview enables photographers to view and select White Balance and Exposure Compensation effects right on the LCD, and see how the image will look before they even capture it.
“Beyond a successor, the Olympus E-520 features an array of new technologies that help photo hobbyists and serious digital photographers take remarkable images,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager – DSLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Its image stabilization system now lets photographers pan while holding the portable camera vertically – perfect for capturing everything from a sprinter breaking from the pack to the bride and groom walking down the aisle.”
{ 0 comments… add one now }