E-510 Reviews

[olymac]

http://www.megapixel.net/reviews/oly-e510/e510-gen.php

Reviewed Sept 2007. A very descriptive review of the camera controls and functions. Not much on the actual image itself though quite positive. Not great test pics. Overall rated the camera very well, 9.2/10 for functionality and 9.6/10 for photographic qualities.

[olymac]

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/e510-review/

First posted July 23 2007, updated August 5 2007. Review based on E-410 review so fair bit of repetition of E410 stuff.

Compares the E-410 and E-510, a fairly extensive commentary on the software, Studio and Master, good pics on the image stabilisation function as well as Live View, good pics of different views of the camera itself. He uses fairly good standard test pics.

Comments include that the PQ was fairly disappointing straight out of the box. Suggests " ...recommend turning the noise filter to "low", possibly lowering the in-camera sharpening, and keeping an eye on the exposure (since the camera underexposes occasionally) to get the most out of the E-510."

Overall liked it a lot better than the E-410.

[olymac]

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/OlympusE510/

Reviewed June 2007.

A very extensive review of the features with pics of the the Live View and IS function, range of the 14-42 standard lens, and even anti-dust function. Compares the E-510 to the E-410 and Canon 400D. Also made some comments with regards the Sony A100, Nikon D40X and D80. There is a good video tour of the E-510 demonstrating both the Live View and IS feature. His main like seems to be the " ..unrivalled feature set and affordable pricing.." Gets a Best Buy under the category of budget dSLR.

[blurboiboi]

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E510/E510A.HTM
http://dcviews.com/_olympus/e510.htm
http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/oly-e/e510-rev.html
http://www.nwpphotoforum.com/ubbthre...y510Review.php

[diCam]

This website has listed all reviews done for E510.

[olymac]

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4380...pus-e-510.html

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4554...e-us-open.html

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4359...ced-dslrs.html

http://www.popphoto.com/camera_revie...olt_e-510.html

The top more comprehensive review was done August 2007. There were more specific comments esp with regards image quality, IS and Live View. In a nutshell, the reviewer was impressed by the excellent image quality. There are even certified charts to quantify the image quality, for which the E-510 scored excellent in every category.

There are good pics of the camera though the pics taken with the camera were fairly nondescript of a white wolf in a ?zoo; it doesn't show up the DR, colours of ISO capability.

The second review was that of the E-510 at the US Open. The overall comments were that it was a major improvement over the E-330 and autofocusing was much better.

It shared the Editor's Choice 2007 for Advanced dSLR with the Nikon D80 and Pentax K10D, with the E-510 receiving the Best Buy as well.

[olymac]

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E510/E510A.HTM

Review done August 2007.

Very wordy and many pics; pics of every dial/button/screen option is shown. One of the more comprehensive review including technical measurements of optics with test pics/charts with full resolution pics downloadable. Compared performance across wide range of ISO/lighting/settings/flash and even printer output for some standard test shots. Also measured a vast range of performance parameters including speed of start up, write times, battery recycle times/performance, storage details etc.

Best feature is of course the comparometer to compare with any other camera reviewed. Where most other reviews state that since they use the same sensor, the image quality of the E-410 and 510 must be the same but this review actually noted some differences ' ... better tone curve ....", " ... less trouble with shodows ...." Suggests turning down the contrast in natural pic mode. Overall got a Dave's Pick.

[spheredome]

Originally Posted by olymac http://www.megapixel.net/reviews/oly-e510/e510-gen.php Reviewed Sept 2007. A very descriptive review of the camera controls and functions. Not much on the actual image itself though quite positive. Not great test pics. Overall rated the camera very well, 9.2/10 for functionality and 9.6/10 for photographic qualities.

There are lots of discussion about this model, all consolidated into this single "All About The Olympus E-510 Thread". If it interest you, can sort and run thru them slowly.

[olymac]

http://www.photoreview.com.au/Olympu...mpus-e510.aspx

Reviewed June 2007. Australian.

A fairly concise review. A few good Imatest charts. Will not leave you knowing much more than what you can find on the official Olympus sites. Conclusion " ..the E-510 represents by far the best value for money when you combine its performance, ease of use and functionality."

[olymac]

Originally Posted by blurboiboi http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E510/E510A.HTM http://dcviews.com/_olympus/e510.htm http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/oly-e/e510-rev.html http://www.nwpphotoforum.com/ubbthre...y510Review.php

Thank you

http://www.nwpphotoforum.com/ubbthre...y510Review.php

This is a user's review, and you can not but be impressed by his work as demonstrated - the best pics by far of all the reviews!

He highlighted the main advantage of the E-510, the 4/3 lens system with a general discussion as well as with his superb pics. Where others find it a disadvantage, he actually finds the 3 point AF a distinct good point. And he illustrates it with great pics.

BTW his works also appears on the official Olympus sites, where it seems the camera of choice is the E-1, or rather the system of choice is the Olympus E-system.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/e1/gal_jisaac.asp

http://www.olympus-esystem.jp/gallery_e/isaac_j/

[olymac]

http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/oly-e/e510-rev.html

This is an on going review with updates as and when. As it goes, this is also probably the most technically informative of all the reviews to date, not only of the E-510 but also the E System in general. Other than just listing the features, he also makes comments and offers more technical details than you can find elsewhere.

There is a very explicit and detailed look at the issue of noise filtering, sharpness and ISO with good pics examples.

The reviewer is obviously a fan of the 4/3 system and reviews mainly Oly digital cameras. He likes the E-510, and I doubt there is another more indepth review of the E-510.

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by olymac The reviewer is obviously a fan of the 4/3 system and reviews mainly Oly digital cameras.

You say that like it's a bad thing. Personally I'd trust information from him before I'd trust it from someone who reviews everything, and only has each camera for a week or two...Wrotniak actually uses the cameras we do!

[olymac]

Originally Posted by Mikefellh You say that like it's a bad thing. Personally I'd trust information from him before I'd trust it from someone who reviews everything, and only has each camera for a week or two...Wrotniak actually uses the cameras we do!

I don't mean it in a bad way; just stating it for what it is

And, yes, this is one site that I keep going back to for reference.

[olymac]

http://www.macworld.com/2007/08/revi...e510/index.php

Reviewed August 8 2007.

A concise and non-technical review from a computer magazine. Overall impression is that of good value " ..Excellent image quality; extensive feature set.." with the main grouse of " ... primary complaint about the camera is that the interface." Of course this coming from a Mac magazine reviewer, where interface and aesthetics of the Macintosh OS is nearly a religious aspect of it. Rated 4 mice.

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by olymac " ... primary complaint about the camera is that the interface." Of course this coming from a Mac magazine reviewer, where interface and aesthetics of the Macintosh OS is nearly a religious aspect of it.

Computer reviewers don't know cameras! If you're going to read camera reviews from computer people you might as well be reading the CNET reviews.

Anyway as for interface, Olympus cameras have one of the easiest and most understandable ones out there...most of the other manufacturers use cryptic symbols that you have to learn what they mean and are confusing if you haven't figured them out, and using the menus require a lot of thumb work (from watching people using other brands change settings in their menus, first they're using the arrow pad near the bottom of the camera, then they have to move their thumb to the wheel at the top, then they have to go back down to the buttons again).

As someone who writes software so that the average person is able to use it with no training, the Oly menu system is the best I've ever seen on a digital camera...it may not have the glitz of a Mac screen, BUT in terms of functionality and ease of use I haven't seen anything better out there; I would like to see what this reviewer thinks is a good dSLR menu system (there are some touchscreens coming out on digicams, but they aren't dSLRs and anyway who wants to get fingerprints on their display anyway...it's hard enough keeping noseprints off it).

[olymac]

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_olympus_e510.php

Reviewed August 6 2007.

A run through of its features with much comparison to the E-410. Image quality is judged by eyeballing of comparative pics shot at different settings, ISO, sharpening, flash exposures. Suggests using the "Vivid" setting rather than "Natural" for better skin tones. The overall image quality was rated, "Apart from those auto white balance issues then, the Olympus E-510 gets a remarkably clean bill of health when it comes to picture quality." The sample pics are otherwise nothing much to shout about. From this review you would be hard pressed NOT to wonder whether there are only 2 dSLRs in the entire world .... the E-510 and the E-410.

Overall rated 4 1/2 stars out of a possible 5.

[olymac]

http://www.neocamera.com/review_olympus_e510.html

Reviewed 27 August 2007.

A very concise review featuring a pros / cons table. Overall scored excellent.

[headfonz]

i just noticed that this thread has become a review on reviews of the e510

i agree with mike, the e-system menus are intuitive and user friendly. its not the prettiest GUI out there, but it does its job very well.

[Mikefellh]

Computer reviewers may know PCs and laptops, but they don't have the knowledge for reviewing optical products...CNET is well known for laughable camera reviews.

In North America there's a publication called "Consumer Reports" who reviews everything from cars to toasters...again their camera reviews are a joke. Here's how they recently rated dSLR bodies:
"Models were tested with a high quality, 50-mm same-brand lens. Score is for body only and is based on image quality, versatility, weight, ease of use, zooming capability, battery life and useful features."

What's funny about that? How many dSLR bodies do you know that have zooming capability?

Another thing...how can you rate a dSLR based on weight? Person "A" might like a lighter camera, while Person "B" prefers a larger, heavier camera...that's the whole reason why Olympus has booth the smaller/lighter E-4xx series and the larger/heavier pro camera...if one camera served all they would only have the E-5xx series.

[olymac]

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digital...213822p,00.htm

Reviewed 27 Sept 2007.

In line with the site more established reputation for computer reviews, the reviewer concentrated a fair bit on features, concentrating on Live View, comparing it to digital compact cameras way of implementing it. I am not sure whether he realises that MOST dSLR do not have any form of Live View.

In comparing performance, the opening line " ...Outside of Live View mode, the E-510 performed well in our lab tests...." kind of makes one wonder what lab tests they use in their reviews of digital cameras. The part on image quality was fairly confusing with random comments on white balance, noise and ISOs with no specific comments on any images. Forget about specs; most pertinent info, unless you are a cnet shopper, are not available. There are no sample images.

Overall it scored 7.1 out of 10.