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
Olympus has announced an upgrade to the E-510, which has been their biggest seller in the consumer DSLR space. Called the E-520, the new model adds processing improvements, more effective in-body Image Stabilization that works with any lens, and what Olympus describes as on-LCD AutoFocus combined with Face Detection. These appear to be the same updates that recently made their way to the smaller E-420, while keeping and improving the "IS with any lens" that was a stand-out feature of the E-510.
Olympus describes the improved Live View technology as "advanced autofocus Live View enables photographers to compose their images and bring them into sharp focus on the HyperCrystal II LCD - just like a point-and-shoot camera." The Press announcement does not provide details on the new Live View, but the E-420 (and now the E-520) adds Contrast Detection AF to the Phase-Detection AF used in the last generation E-410 and E-510. This is the same technology used by Panasonic in their swing-tilt-swivel screen Lumix L10. Panasonic also combines the Contrast-detect AF with Face Detection as was announced on the E-520.
As the E-510 was an E-410 with a more robust grip and the addition of in-camera Image Stabilization, so the E-520 is an E-420 with the bigger hand grip and added IS. This keeps the E-520 body small and the weight is 475g (16.8oz) compared to the 380g (13.4oz) of the E-420. What was not so very clear when the E-420 was introduced were the significant changes in Live View and AF that came with the new addition of Contrast-Detect AF.
The Live-MOS sensor in E-420 and now the E-520 provides AF on the LCD screen with a push of the shutter-release halfway - without the LCD blackout that is necessary when a mirror-flip is required. We have also received confirmation that the sensor provides 11-point multiple AF with the contrast detection system. The Focusing specifications provide a clearer picture of the significant changes to the AF capabilities in Live View mode.
|
AF system |
TTL phase difference detection system, contrast detection system (with 25mm f2.8, 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, 40-150mm f4.0-5.6) |
|
Focus mode |
Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF)* / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF |
|
Focusing point |
3-point multiple AF with the phase difference detection system (Auto, selectable in option) |
Not long ago, Olympus surprised users with firmware updates to their 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, 40-150mm f4-5.6, and new 25mm f2.8 pancake lens that supported Contrast-Detect AF on the Panasonic Lumix L10. That seemed a strange firmware update at the time, but now that the new E-420 and E-520 feature the same Contrast-Detect AF as the L10 it is now making some sense. We have a Panasonic L10 in-house and the new 11-point Contrast-Detect AF combined with Face Detect is a real joy to use. It is not as fast or seamless as the Sony A350 Live View, but the LCD screen is virtually a 100% view with fewer compromises. Significantly, the E-420/E-520/L10 Live View also supports 7X/10X magnification in Live view mode to assist in precise focusing. That is a feature not available on the competing Sony A350/A300. Live View also supports the MF/S-AF mode which allows manual focus touch up after AF on the LCD screen.
Perhaps Olympus did not want to emphasize the fact that their E-520 and E-420 featured the same Dual Live View system as the Panasonic L10, as you really have to dig a bit to figure out the systems are likely the same. However, the L10 has been well-received for its features, if not its cost, and Olympus users will be happy to know 11-point Contrast-Detect AF is available in Live View on the $599 E-520 - even if the Phase-Detect AF system remains 3-pont.
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rgsaunders - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - link
You really should do a little research, and you will discover that it is quite common to see a marked shutter lag on point and shoot cameras, however, the DSLR variants do not have the same problem. This applies to most brands, not just Olympus. This camera is capable of shooting multiple frames at >3 frames per second. Auto Focus speed is another issue, and is to some degree a function of cost. Entry level cameras and lenses are normally not as fast as their higher priced brethren, better technology costs more money.teldar - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - link
I am well aware that there is some shutter lag on point and shoot (and I always have depressed the button half way to focus when trying to take pictures, for anyone else). I've been doing some research, and what I have read is that the Olympus entry level DSLR's are terribly slow on the auto focus. I don't have any experience with them, however, and I'm am (probably mistakenly) applying my poor experience with a fairly expensive point and shoot camera to the entry level DSLR's that are made by the same manufacturer. I have read in another article by Wesley that the auto focus has improved on the C-3, in terms of speed, but that the improved technology has not yet made it down to the entry level cameras, even though they have been improved somewhat as well.From what I have read, as of now, my ideal camera would be something like the Pentax K20, but something that sounds a little more beginner friendly, like the Sony 350, or perhaps by the time I am ready to purchase (it'll be another 1 1/2 years before I'm out of grad school) an improved auto focus entry level Olympus. I was expecting something like a 610 based on previous model numbering. We'll have to see.
T
Deadtrees - Thursday, May 15, 2008 - link
Your ideal camera wouldn't be Pentax K20D as it has quite slow AF under low light.