Exploring the Wonders of Olympus E-510: A Comprehensive Guide

Learn everything you need to know about Olympus E-510, an exceptional digital camera filled with features that will unleash your creativity. Discover how to capture stunning images and videos, from landscape to portrait photography, using this remarkable device.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus E-510 article cover photo

Key Features

Nov 23 2007

Announced

10 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor TypeFour Thirds
SensorCMOS
Weight490g
MSRP$899USD

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Overview of the E-510

Photography is an art, and it requires a perfect tool to capture the moments that matter. Olympus E-510 is a powerful camera that provides exceptional creative freedom, delivering vivid, lifelike images that can leave people awestruck. With its impressive features and advanced technology, this camera is a must-have for anyone passionate about photography. In this article, we will take you through all the aspects of Olympus E-510 that set it apart from its peers and help you capture the perfect picture. So, buckle up, grab your camera, and let's dive into the boundless world of photography with the Olympus E-510.

Olympus E-510 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus E-510 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Excellent image quality
Compact and lightweight
High resolution LCD screen
Image stabilization technology
Fast autofocus
Wide range of lenses available
Good low light performance
Water-resistant construction
Dust reduction system

Cons

Limited ISO range
Outdated sensor technology
Relatively slow burst mode
No video recording capability
Limited battery life
Menu system can be confusing
No built-in flash
Limited dynamic range
No full-frame sensor option

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus E-510

Weather sealed
Dimensions136 x 92 x 68mm
Weight490g
Thickness68mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Olympus E-510 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentamirror)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeMid-size SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 2.50" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Olympus E-510 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

E-510 includes a optical (pentamirror) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.46x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus E-510 has a 10MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 10 pixels. Olympus E-510 has a native ISO range of 100 - 1600 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Nov 23 2007

Announced

100 - 1600

ISO Range

SensorFour Thirds
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution3648 x 2736 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

52 / 102

Color Depth

21.2 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

10 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

442 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Olympus E-510 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the E-510 is below average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Four Thirds

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageCompact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Battery Life
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus E-510 supports Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Olympus E-510 uses the undefined model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Olympus E-510 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Olympus E-510 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Olympus E-510 includes phase detection autofocus (AF), with 3 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Olympus E-510?

The Olympus E-510 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Olympus E-510 weather sealed?

No the E-510 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus E-510 announced?

The Olympus E-510 was announced on Nov 23 2007

Does the Olympus E-510 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the E-510 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Olympus E-510?

The E-510 has a native ISO range of 100-1600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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