Olympus E-510
Encyclopedia
The Olympus E-510 is a 10 megapixel digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera
oriented to the "prosumer" or "hobbyist" market. Announced in March 2007 to succeed the E-500
, it represents the first use of the new Panasonic MOS
sensors instead of the Kodak CCD
sensors that Olympus had used previously. It also is the first Olympus DSLR to include in-body image stabilization
; most subsequent E-system cameras include an IS system.
The E-510 body and lens mount conform to the "Four Thirds System
" standard, providing compatibility with other lenses for that system. Four-Thirds is a digital SLR standard using a crop factor
of 2x; this means that Four-Thirds lenses can be made smaller and cheaper, but that the cameras exhibit somewhat worse high ISO performance.
As with all E-system cameras, the E-510 uses Olympus'
Supersonic Wave Filter
dust reduction system
to shake dust from the sensor during startup and when requested by the user; this largely eliminates the problem of dust accumulation on the surface of the image sensor.
The E-510 was released in a number of different iterations for purchase: the camera body only, the body bundled with a 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens, and the body bundled with 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm 1:4-5.6 lenses. Note that, as Four-Thirds has a crop factor of 2x, the 35mm equivalent focal length of these lenses is twice the actual focal length.
In the second quarter of 2008, the E-510's successor, the E-520
, hit the markets. It adds minor updates to the Live View system, wireless flash capability, and an allegedly-improved metering system.
Digital single-lens reflex camera
Most digital single-lens reflex cameras are digital cameras that use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera....
oriented to the "prosumer" or "hobbyist" market. Announced in March 2007 to succeed the E-500
Olympus E-500
The Olympus E-500 is an 8 megapixel digital SLR camera manufactured by Olympus of Japan and based on the Four Thirds System. It was announced on 26 September 2005...
, it represents the first use of the new Panasonic MOS
Live MOS
The Live MOS sensor is a brand name of Image sensor used by Leica, Panasonic and Olympus in their Four Thirds System DSLR manufactured since 2006...
sensors instead of the Kodak CCD
Charge-coupled device
A charge-coupled device is a device for the movement of electrical charge, usually from within the device to an area where the charge can be manipulated, for example conversion into a digital value. This is achieved by "shifting" the signals between stages within the device one at a time...
sensors that Olympus had used previously. It also is the first Olympus DSLR to include in-body image stabilization
Image stabilization
Image stabilization is a family of techniques used to reduce blurring associated with the motion of a camera during exposure. Specifically, it compensates for pan and tilt of a camera or other imaging device. It is used in image-stabilized binoculars, still and video cameras, and astronomical...
; most subsequent E-system cameras include an IS system.
The E-510 body and lens mount conform to the "Four Thirds System
Four Thirds System
The Four Thirds system is a standard created by Olympus and Kodak for digital single-lens reflex camera design and development.The system provides a standard that, with digital cameras and lenses available from multiple manufacturers, allows for the interchange of lenses and bodies from different...
" standard, providing compatibility with other lenses for that system. Four-Thirds is a digital SLR standard using a crop factor
Crop factor
In digital photography, a crop factor is related to the ratio of the dimensions of a camera's imaging area compared to a reference format; most often, this term is applied to digital cameras, relative to 35 mm film format as a reference. In the case of digital cameras, the imaging device would be a...
of 2x; this means that Four-Thirds lenses can be made smaller and cheaper, but that the cameras exhibit somewhat worse high ISO performance.
As with all E-system cameras, the E-510 uses Olympus'
Olympus Corporation
is a Japan-based manufacturer of optics and reprography products. Olympus was established on 12 October 1919, initially specializing in microscope and thermometer businesses. Its global headquarters are in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, while its USA operations are based in Center Valley, Pennsylvania,...
Supersonic Wave Filter
Supersonic Wave Filter
The Supersonic Wave Filter is a dust reduction system developed by Olympus to overcome the negative effect of dust particles landing on the image sensor of digital SLRs. DSLRs are particularly vulnerable to this issue, since the interior of the camera is exposed during lens changes unlike other...
dust reduction system
Dust reduction system
A dust reduction system, or dust removal system, is a technology employed by several manufacturers of digital system cameras to solve the problem of dust particles adhering to the image sensor. Some systems remove or clean the sensor by vibrating at a very high frequency—between 100hertz and...
to shake dust from the sensor during startup and when requested by the user; this largely eliminates the problem of dust accumulation on the surface of the image sensor.
The E-510 was released in a number of different iterations for purchase: the camera body only, the body bundled with a 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens, and the body bundled with 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm 1:4-5.6 lenses. Note that, as Four-Thirds has a crop factor of 2x, the 35mm equivalent focal length of these lenses is twice the actual focal length.
In the second quarter of 2008, the E-510's successor, the E-520
Olympus E-520
The Olympus E-520 is a 10 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera. Announced in May 2008 to succeed the E-510, it adds face detection technology, auto focus Live preview, wireless flash capability and shadow adjustment technology...
, hit the markets. It adds minor updates to the Live View system, wireless flash capability, and an allegedly-improved metering system.