Conclusion
The only Olympus camera that really convinced me so far was the Olympus E-1, particularly because of its excellent body and sensor cleaning. Unfortunately, the marketing department was a bit too optimistic and priced it way too high. With the Olympus E-510, they did it again. It's a great camera for a hobbyist photographer who's just entering the DSLR world.
The Olympus E-410 was very convincing as far as user friendliness and image quality are concerned, but the Olympus E-510 is better than that - its bigger body and good grip are a clear indication that this is a camera for a more demanding photographer. I think this is a good move on the part of Olympus – two reasonably different cameras with the same image quality. The Olympus E-510 is intended for all those photographers who want to control all image capture parameters but don't feel like using the computer to process the images. This is especially true for older photographers who are still using film cameras.
It also has three killer features – the best sensor cleaning system available, image stabilisation that compensates for about two stops of camera shake, pretty much like the competition, and live view.
Finally, it would seem, Olympus made a feature rich camera with excellent image quality.
There was no noticeable difference in image quality between Olympus E-510 and Olympus E-410. The main difference is the body, some extra buttons and of course the image stabilisation, a first for Olympus cameras.
It would seem that all that Olympus E-510 needs is a good marketing approach. And they're doing that, too. If you're a native English speaker, having menus in your language seems, well, obvious. On the other hand, if your native tongue is a relatively obscure one, having menus in your language is just about as lovely as seeing a really gorgeous woman. It's a small touch, but it's sure to generate some sales.
The Olympus E-510 isn't intended for those who want the simplest possible DSLR – it's for those who want to control every aspect of the shot, while they don't feel like using the computer too much.
The kit lenses are a marvel in their own right – they're small, light and offer excellent image quality. The 40-150 is the real star - it'll even fit into a trouser pocket, let alone a dedicated camera bag. And you know what the most important thing about equipment is – having it with you when you need it. From that point of view alone, the two lenses are fantastic, and the fact that they have a great price/performance ratio is just icing on the proverbial cake.
The two lens kit gives you all you need to produce stunning shots – what you need to do is learn how to take those shots. And if you feel like the lenses are limiting you, well, there's loads of high quality Zuiko Digital lenses, just waiting for you.
The Olympus E-410 too small for you? Get the Olympus E-510.
The body shape is noticeably different.
The Olympus E-510 has a few additional buttons to make changing all the various settings easier, making it perfect for those who want all the control they can get. The Olympus E-410, on the other hand, is a perfect camera for those who want the simplicity of a point and shoot camera and the image quality of a DSLR.
If you don't mind the size difference, the Olympus E-510 offers much better grip. There's also some added value in image stabilisation. While at the first glance the cameras seem to be very similar, they're actually meant for two very different kinds of photographers.
In the three major elements, speed, accuracy and image quality, the Olympus E-510 holds its own. While its focusing speed is not all that fantastic, its images are perfect straight out of the camera. Nevertheless, decide for yourself. If you want stunning images with no Photoshop, go for the Olympus.
You need to realise that this is not a pro camera, so don't expect it to be as fast as a pro camera. It is, however, the only camera in its class to offer sensor cleaning, image stabilisation and LiveView.
I truly believe the Olympus E-510 to be a trendsetter among entry level cameras. It'll be interesting to see whether all next generation entry level cameras will feature great images straight out of the camera and live view.
Consider this – Olympus was the first company to introduce sensor cleaning. Now, it's available in just about every camera. Olympus was also the first to introduce live view – it's even used in pro cameras now. All in all, Olympus cameras have a history of innovation, and they're not too stubborn to license technologies they didn't invent, such as sensor-based image stabilisation.
All in all, I don't think any other camera has quite so many features at such a price. And that's what makes the Olympus E-510 so great. I also think that the Olympus E-510 is the final proof that Olympus DSLRs are here to stay, even though their development seemed slow in the past.
Regardless of whether you're buying your first DSLR or just switching from a film system, you can't look past the 4/3 system without a second glance. It has enough fantastic lenses to keep you happy for years to come, and with a new high-end camera coming out in autumn, it's obvious that if you feel limited by the Olympus E-510, you'll have a clear upgrade path.
All in all, this is a camera that will cuddle you until you get to know it well, and when you really know how to use it, it'll do exactly what you ask of it.
Oh, and the pictures look gorgeous, too.
