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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punchkin - Saturday, May 17, 2008 - link
... nobody edits these articles. The writer should enroll in the closest community college English program post-haste.allajunaki - Thursday, May 15, 2008 - link
Something I have been noticing, Most of the SLR's are now going Live View with Contrast detect AF. Just curious, Isnt that what Point and Shoot's been using all this while?I was under the impression that Phase detect is the fastest AF available and that Contrast detect by nature is very slow in focussing. Have they improved up the contrast detect AF over the years to make is as good as the phase detect, or Am I missing something here?
strikeback03 - Thursday, May 15, 2008 - link
yes, contrast detect is what P&S uses, and yes it is still slow; reports at DPR state that on the same camera it is typically slower than phase detect for live view that offer both, even with the mirror flipping involved for phase detect. For those migrating from P&S without much research (or those who might use it enough to wear out the mirror prematurely) the contrast detect could be a nice option though.So far I have only used the Live View on my 40D on a tripod and with manual focus.
haplo602 - Thursday, May 15, 2008 - link
You need the normal autofous sensors for Phase Detect AF, means mirror down, means no live view while focusing. So there is not other option as the normal P&S contrast detect focusing in live view.Maxington - Thursday, May 15, 2008 - link
Or a fancy mirror setup like the Sony A350, where it can use the phase detect AF in Live View without mirror slap. Pity it comes at the cost of a horrific viewfinder.Live View is a waste of time on DSLR imo anyway.
haplo602 - Thursday, May 15, 2008 - link
IMO Live View is very usefull if you have a tilt/swivel/turn LCD so you can see the LCD when shooting over crowd of people. But that only helps with framing the picture in some situations.For precise focusing you still need a nice bright and clear viewfinder with either split prism or quality fresnel focusing screen.
So Live View is usefull, but only in marginal situations (at least from my point of view).
Wesley Fink - Thursday, May 15, 2008 - link
I also have mixed feelings about the usefulness of Live View in a DSLR, but the ability to zoom in on the LCD and touch-up focus - as you can do on many of the new Live View cameras is terrific for critical macro and tripod shooting. It is a VERY useful studio-type feature.The tilt screens and tilt-swivel (like used on the Oly E-3 and Panasonic L-10) are incredible tools for high and low angle shots that are extremely difficult "real-time" with an optical viewfinder stuck to your eye or an LCD screen that only faces straight back.
My point is there are real situations on a DSLR where Live View is indispensible. Like you, I basically considered it a gimmick, but I have found it very useful in several shooting situations.
Maxington - Friday, May 16, 2008 - link
I find it boils down to Live View being useful *if* a bunch of boxes are ticked. Like, articulated LCD, which is also very high resolution and visible in sunlight, as well as fast AF without mirror slap, as WELL as all this being doable without ending up with a miserable viewfinder or battery life or other such drawbacks. Oh, and the Live View lcd needs to cover 100% of the frame of the shot too.I suppose in the future that will occur, but at the moment I still class it as somewhere between a gimmick and a minor feature. In other words, not something to base a DSLR purchase on. :)
GTVic - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - link
At the bottom of the page you mention "is available in Live View on the $599 E-510". Should that be "E-520"?Wesley Fink - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - link
Corrected. Thanks.