Blog Uncovering the Versatile Features of Olympus VH-515 Camera for Stunning Shots

The Olympus VH-515 is a compact and reliable camera that guarantees exceptional results regardless of the shooting conditions. This blog delves into the various features of this camera, enabling you to capture stunning shots that will leave you in awe. Follow along as we provide insights into the Olympus VH-515 that will help you to get the most out of your investment.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus VH-515 article cover photo

Key Features

Aug 21 2012

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight152g
MSRP$199USD

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Overview of the VH-515

Capturing memorable moments is one of the greatest joys of life, and with the Olympus VH-515 camera, you can do just that. The camera has become a popular choice among beginners as well as professional photographers due to its robust functionality and compact design. Whether you're looking to capture shots in low light conditions, want to try your hand at macro photography, or looking to shoot videos in 1080p, the Olympus VH-515 has got you covered. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the features of the Olympus VH-515 and help you unleash your creativity.

Olympus VH-515 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus VH-515 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

High resolution (12MP)
Impressive zoom (16x)
Wide-angle lens (28mm)
Touchscreen display
Built-in image stabilization
Full HD video recording
Compact and lightweight design
Easy to use

Cons

Limited low-light performance
No manual controls
Small sensor size
Mediocre battery life
No viewfinder
No Wi-Fi connectivity
No 4K video recording
Limited lens flexibility

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus VH-515

Weather sealed
Dimensions102 x 60 x 21mm
Weight152g
Thickness21mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Olympus VH-515 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 FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Olympus VH-515 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Olympus VH-515 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the VH-515 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus VH-515 has a 12MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Olympus VH-515 has a native ISO range of 100 - 1600 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Aug 21 2012

Announced

100 - 1600

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4608 x3456 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Olympus VH-515 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, 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 VH-515 is excellent

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: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life
Battery ModelLI-50B
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus VH-515 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC 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 VH-515 uses the LI-50B 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 VH-515 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Olympus VH-515 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, 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 VH-515 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null 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 VH-515?

The Olympus VH-515 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Olympus VH-515 weather sealed?

No the VH-515 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus VH-515 announced?

The Olympus VH-515 was announced on Aug 21 2012

Does the Olympus VH-515 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the VH-515 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 VH-515?

The VH-515 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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