Olympus E-520: Improved IS, Double Live View, and More
by Wesley Fink on May 14, 2008 12:10 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
New Super Wide-Angle Olympus Lens
Olympus has also announced a lens addition to the four-thirds system. The Olympus ED 9-18mm f4.0-5.6 provides a 35mm equivalent of 18-36mm. The new lens is just 3 inches long and weighs just 9.88 ounces (280g).
The lens’ lightweight design combined with In-Body Image Stabilization – available in the E-3, E-510 and the newly announced E-520 – makes capturing blur-free super-wide images possible even without a tripod. Olympus now offers two super-wide-angle zoom lenses. This new 9-18mm is designed as an affordable consumer lens and the existing 7-14mm splash-proof lens is targeted for the pro photographer. Both feature both a focal distance equivalent to less than 20mm on a 35mm camera. E-System owners can use either lens with Image Stabilization and Live View, which makes it possible to shoot from unique perspectives that are difficult with an optical viewfinder alone, including over a crowd or at ground-level to catch a toddler’s first steps.
Availability and U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations
The Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm f.4.0-f5.6 will be available in the fall of 2008. The estimated street price will be $599.99.
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frombauer - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - link
These 4/3's cameras do look nice but the small "tunnel" optical viewfinder on them are a deal breaker in my opinion. Not to mention the higher noise due to the small pixel size.7thSerapHim - Thursday, May 15, 2008 - link
While I agree that the optical viewfinder may not be as big as the competition, it's by no means looking through a 'tunnel' as you have been quoted saying.The E-510/410 sensor has great ISO performance up to ISO400 and usable images at 800. Most of the time you can get by with ISO400, want brighter images? You would be better off with a faster lens instead, and that goes with any camera brand.
Stop pixel peeping, people!
Mavtek - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - link
I'm not sure what you are talking about necessarily, but it would seem no camera is instant auto focus. It's important to hold the button half way down prior to your shot(not sure if that's something you are doing or not). I have the e510 the model prior to this one and with the exception of very low light the auto focus is very quick. With a shutter speed above 1/50, at low ISO in normal or day time lighting I can achieve a maximum burst around 3 shots per second. If your concerned about action shooting the Olympus SLR probably isn't the camera for you anyway, although in my opinion it won't be because of it's AF. It's smaller size viewfinder, it's limited burst rate of 3 fps, and it's reduced depth of field make it not the ideal camera for that situation. If you are looking for a camera to take absolutely stunning shots of landscapes, family and friends, and general vacation type photography the E520 or 510 are excellent cameras.marina - Sunday, May 18, 2008 - link
I have been looking at many cameras to make a step up and am very excited with what I see on the new Olympus E-520 that is coming out. I have been using a little Sony DSC-H1 and have actually taken some gorgeous photos and for what I have been using it for has been a great camera. I mainly want to advance to something where I can get in closer, take action shots, wildlife and landscapes. The action I take so far is only HS level Field Hockey and actually the little Sony does great however I'd like to be able to zoom in from one end of the field to the other. Do you feel your E-510 would do good on the type of photos I want to take? If so I assume the new E-520 will do as well.I really don't need a super perfect camera right now for this next step up and I figure if the little Sony takes such clear and nice photos with the Hockey I am bound to be incredibly surprised and happy with the E520 as my next step up?
Any comments?
Thanks so much and have a great day!
marina
teldar - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - link
What I want to know is when is Olympus going to improve the speed of their auto focus in their 'entry' level DSLR cameras? I have been an Olympus fan for years and my two cameras have been Olympus, however, I havn't even been considering an Olynpus as my first DSLR because I've been so unhappy with focus and shot speed on my c-450 ( i think that's what it is, it's at home, not at school with me).When are they going to get their stuff together and offer a camera with competetive shot speed (by this I mean lag between when the button is pressed and the camera decides it's able to take the picture)?
From what I've read, I'd buy an update the the now 520, partially because of the kit lenses, but they're really going to have to do something about speed, or lag if you would rather.
T
Haider - Thursday, May 15, 2008 - link
Mate with autofocus you need speed and accuracy. The lens bundled with all DSLRs do not have super-sonic motors therefore they are slower to focus. It's not the aufocus system's problem. It's like you blaming your trainer 'cause you cannot run the 100m sprint in under 9s. The Oly AF speed & accuracy is good enough with the kit lens. For professionals who shoot high speed sports you need the extra speed of the super-sonic motors to make sure you capture the full action such as two player playing tennis, you want capture a number of frames of each the shot and subsequent return from the other player. I shoot high speed sports football, motor racing, skate-boarders etc...Without supersonic motor equipped lens, it take a bit more concentration and skill, you anticipate the actyion rather than just react...Equipment is no substitute for photographic skill...Abdar - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - link
You realize of course that your c-450 is NOT an SLR. Therefore your camera, as well as every other non SLR will have that lag. That is one of the main reasons I upgraded to an SLR in the first place. I have compared the Nikon D40 to the Oly 510 and Oly 300 and can assure you there is no difference in this so called 'shutter lag'. You should do your homework before trying to sway people with your opinion.Here is a thought, go to a camera shop and try an E510 out, see if you notice any lag between shutter press and shot, I think you will be surprised.
teldar - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - link
In the quest to find a camera that I feel would be something I would like to have for quite a number of years, I have been looking at the Pentax (previously the K10) K20.I've looked around at a few sites as preliminary info gathering and the reviews about it's build quality, it's dust removal, the image stabilization in body rather than lense and the drastically improved auto-focus (Supersonic Drive Motor) have led me to believe it will possibly be my camera. The only problem is that the SDM lenses (super fast auto focus) are viciously expensive. However, you get what you pay for. Cutting edge is always outrageous, and good camera lenses have always been on the pricey side.
And I wasn't trying to sway people with my opinion. I simply am looking for a camera which is noted to have very fast auto focus and other features which makes it better than normal entry level.
strikeback03 - Thursday, May 15, 2008 - link
Except SDM is hardly cutting edge. Canon Ring USM, Nikon SWM, Sigma HSM (at least some versions) are the same thing, and have been around for a while.The prices have come down though. B&H now has the DA* 16-50 for $699, it was over $800 last year when I suggested it as an option (with a K10D) to a friend looking for an SLR. I'd guessed the price would be in the same ballpark as the Tamron 17-50, not double.
Maxington - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - link
Actually the K20D isn't super fast autofocus, neither are SDM lenses.They also aren't viciously expensive, they are actually a lot cheaper than the top end lenses available in other ranges, so you get a lot of value for money.
I own a K20D and a DA* SDM lens btw. :)
On topic, Olympus always have attractive features and innovation, but I can never get over their 2x crop, relatively noisy sensors. Pity.