Olympus E-510

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    Highlights

    • 10.0 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
    • 3 Focus Points
    • Image Stabilization
    • 2.5" 230k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
    • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Olympus E-510 was announced in 2007 and is a Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) DSLR camera with 10.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 1,600. The camera has a Fixed 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a built-in Sensor Shift in body image stabilization.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Successor
    5. Screen and Viewfinder
    6. Sensor
    7. Photography Features
    8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    9. Other Features
    10. Physical Parameters
    11. For Different Types of Photography
    12. Evaluation
    13. Specifications  

    Here is the Olympus E-xxx series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Olympus E-xxx series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-600
    Compare
    		August
    2009    		 12 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 3,200 Articulated 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-620
    Compare
    		July
    2009    		 12.3 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 3,200 Articulated 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-450
    Compare
    		March
    2009    		 10.0 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-520
    Compare
    		August
    2008    		 10.0 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-420
    Compare
    		June
    2008    		 10.0 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-510 November
    2007    		 10.0 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-410
    Compare
    		June
    2007    		 10.0 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    215k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-400
    Compare
    		September
    2006    		 10.0 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    215k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-330
    Compare
    		March
    2006    		 7.94 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 400 Tilting 2.5"
    215k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-500
    Compare
    		October
    2005    		 8 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 400 Fixed 2.5"
    215k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-300
    Compare
    		January
    2005    		 8 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 400 Fixed 1.8"
    134k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Olympus E-600 vs E-620 vs E-450 vs E-520 vs E-420 vs E-510.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus E-510.

    PROS

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   Light - 490 g (1.08 lb / 17.28 oz)
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   3 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 52
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Olympus E-510 to its predecessor E-500 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-500
    Higher Sensor Resolution 10.0 Megapixel vs 8 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 400
    Max Image Resolution 3648 x 2736 vs 3264 x 2448
    Image Stabilization Sensor Shift vs
    Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 215k dot
    Live View vs
    Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.46x vs 0.45x
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    DOWNGRADES Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-500
    Heavier 490 g (1.08 lb / 17.28 oz) vs 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Olympus E-510 vs E-500.

    Successor

    In 2008 Olympus E-510 was replaced by Olympus E-520. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Olympus E-510 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-510
    Face Detection vs
    Live View Autofocus vs
    Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
    Larger Screen 2.7" vs 2.5"
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Multi-Segment Metering vs
    Center Weighted Metering vs
    Spot Metering vs
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 548 vs 442
    Higher DxO Color Depth 21.4 vs 21.2
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 10.4 vs 10.0
    Higher DxO Overall Score 55 vs 52
    DOWNGRADES Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-510
    Heavier 552 g (1.22 lb / 19.47 oz) vs 490 g (1.08 lb / 17.28 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Olympus E-510 vs E-520.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Olympus E-510 has a 2.5" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.92x (0.46x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Olympus E-510 features a 10.0 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Olympus E-510's Micro Four Thirds sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.3 x 13 mm224.9 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Olympus E-510 has Four Thirds lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 2x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


    In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-510.

    Olympus E-520
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    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-420
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-500
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    8 MP

    Olympus E-400
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-450
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-330
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    7.94 MP

    Olympus E-3
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-600
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12 MP

    Olympus E-300
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    8 MP

    Olympus E-620
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12.3 MP

    Nikon D200
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Olympus E-410
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Olympus E-510 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II), xD Picture Card card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Olympus E-510 has Computerized focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


    Exposure

    Camera's exposure metering ranges from +1 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment.


    Flash

    Olympus E-510 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Olympus E-510 has dimensions of 136 x 92 x 68 mm (5.35 x 3.62 x 2.68"). It weighs 490 g (1.08 lb / 17.28 oz), so it is a lightweight camera.

    136 mm (5.35")

    92 mm (3.62")

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    92 mm (3.62")

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    68 mm (2.68")

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    Olympus E-510 dimensions

    Olympus E-510 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Olympus E-510 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    63

    Olympus E-510 gets a score of 63 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    62

    Olympus E-510 gets a score of 62 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   3 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    61

    Olympus E-510 gets a score of 61 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   3 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    75

    Olympus E-510 gets a score of 75 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   3 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    81

    Olympus E-510 gets a score of 81 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   3 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 490 g (1.08 lb / 17.28 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    83

    Olympus E-510 gets a score of 83 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 490 g (1.08 lb / 17.28 oz)

    Olympus E-510 Evaluation

    We evaluate Olympus E-510 and give score of 56 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    56

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Olympus E-510 a score of 65 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 52

    Photo

    GOOD
    74

    We give Olympus E-510 a score of 74 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Olympus E-510 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Olympus E-510 a score of 69 for Focusing parameters.

    •   3 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    63

    We give Olympus E-510 a score of 63 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    40

    We give Olympus E-510 a score of 40 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    44

    We give Olympus E-510 a score of 44 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 490 g (1.08 lb / 17.28 oz)


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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