Olympus E-520 review
Features: Page 3
Memory Buffer
With the TruePic III processor seen in the last few Olympus DSLRs, the E-520 manages to shoot JPEGs up to the capacity of the card and up to eight Raw images at a constant pace, though burst speed sees a slight increase now at 3.5fps. Lacking the 11-point biaxial AF system of the E-3, no claims are made of world’s-fastest focusing, with focusing limited to three horizontally arranged points. This expands to 11 points when used in conjunction with live view in Imager AF mode.
Built-In Flash
The built-in flash has a guide number of 12 (at ISO 100) and is operated automatically through the camera or manually via a button on the top plate. An assortment of slow-sync, rear-curtain-sync and flash compensation options may be selected.
Wireless Flash
As was the case with the Olympus E-3, wireless flash operation is also possible. The camera is able to synchronise safely with up to three compatible off-camera flash units – at present, this will work with the FL36R and FL50R wireless flashguns. This allows individual positioning and control over each separate unit and is clearly something Olympus is pushing, having also recently made it possible on its SP range of bridge models. The camera is also compatible with Olympus’s non-wireless units, including the two ring and twinflash options, but not the FL-40 flashgun.
Misc Features
Face Detection and Perfect Shot Preview modes are both available, allowing you to view a preview of an image at different exposure and white balance settings so that you can select the most appropriate settings. Images are whisked onto the user’s choice of either CompactFlash, xD or the less common Microdrive media formats.
Have your say!
Latest comments
October 01 14:49
Stephen Brasure
With the release of the Olympus E-620, the E-520 is now available at some very low prices (at least in the United States). It's hard to find a better deal than the E-520 lens kit, which is a great camera for those purchasing their first digital SLR. Having purchased a dual lens kit for my first SLR, I'm more than pleased with the camera's performance but you do have to be aware of it's limitations, as with any camera. One advantage of the Olympus E-520 is the quality of the JPEG images straight from the camera. They are usually quite excellent, and those who prefer to avoid a lot of post processing should compare JPEG quality of the 520 with images from other entry level SLR cameras. The quality of Olypus Zuiko lenses available for the E-520 is generally considered to be excellent and competitive with comparable offerings from Canon and Nikon. And again, for the average consumer, buying into the 4/3 Olympus system isn't any more or less advantageous than purchasing other systems. That being said, if the purchaser plans to upgrade to a full sensor body, than sticking with Canon or NIkon or other system may be preferable. With the availability of quality lenses, getting started with a 520 system can be a very cost effective means to enter SLR photography. And, there is always the option of upgrading to a newer body i.e. E-620 as prices come down or newer bodies are released. Bottom line..........the Olympus E-520 is a very competent and cost effective camera system for most consumers.
May 26 16:35
Peter Bower
Quite frankly, most photographers would not notice the limitations of the 520, because they would never put the camera to extremes of use. 99% will just shoot on auto with perhaps a few minor adjustments. On the positive side, I have not seen better landscapes than with the Olympus 510/520. Only the Sony 850 equals it but look at the price difference. Olympus kit lenses are supurb for the money and must be class leaders. Fit an Olympus 14 - 54 F 2.8 zoom and you will get pro results that are hard to beat. I still prefer the 510 over the newer 620 because for me the pop art is of very low priority in taking factual pictures. I want real life reproduction and nothing more. Peter