Olympus E-510

The Olympus E-510 is a compact DSLR camera featuring Live Preview, which allows you to frame your shot using either the optical viewfinder or the 2.5 inch LCD screen. The E-510 boasts a built-in image stabilizer in the camera body which will help to counter act the effects of camera shake in conjunction with all Olympus E-System lenses. Based on the Four Thirds Standard, the Olympus E510 replaces the E-500 and features a a new 10 megapixel Live MOS sensor.

There's also a new image processing engine which provides sequential shooting at up to 3 frames per second with an eight image RAW buffer in burst mode. Both CompactFlash and xD-Picture Cards can be used with the Olympus E-510, there's the proven Supersonic Wave Filter for dust reduction, plus 18 different shooting modes catering for beginners and more experienced photographers alike. Is the Olympus E510 worth the extra cost when compared to the more diminuitive E-410? Gavin Stoker reviewed the Olympus E-510 and compared it to the E-410 to find out.

Retailing in the UK for a body only price that's �100 more than its E-410 baby brother is the bulkier Olympus E-510, first announced as a companion DSLR back in March. Although much looks familiar on first glance, the reservations we had on the E-410 about a lack of rounded grip are no longer an issue, as the E-510 boasts enough of a curve to the right hand side of the body to take a firm hold.

Those annoying little flapping catches for the strap that got in the way of fingers on the E-410 have also been moved to a better location this time, positioned out of harm's way atop the camera to the left and right. So, while this camera cannot make the E-410's headline grabbing claim for 'smallest DSLR in the world', the E-510 looks and feels like more of a serious proposition.

The Olympus E-510 still utilises the same stubby portable digital only lenses as the E-410, with the same Four Thirds' system benefits namely a focal length twice their 35mm equivalent, meaning that the modest 14-42mm kit lens (another �100, if bought with the body) gives you a more impressive 28-84mm range. Once again the Olympus 'double zoom' kit adding in a 40-150mm lens, provides the best deal creatively and financially, some �700 all in.

And as expected you also get the same impressive key features here as found on the E-410 namely Live View, which is the ability to frame and check the focus of shots via the camera's LCD, plus the new 10 megapixel Live Mos sensor, and new improved (faster, less noise) image-processing engine. Also present and correct is the grandly named Supersonic Wave Filter whereby any dust particles that intrude while changing lenses settle on a filter that protects the CCD, and are then shaken clear.

What's different, apart from the more serious trappings, is that the E-510 boasts an built in image stabilizer accessible via a dedicated button though since the Four Thirds system boasts physically smaller lenses, camera shake at extreme telephoto is arguably less of an issue. Still, for slower shutter speeds or low light shots it's certainly an extra worth having, but an extra worth paying �100 more for?

Like the E-410, the Olympus E-510 is solidly constructed, the E-510 having the edge as no one button, dial or catch feels compromised or restricted by budget. At this price however I would have liked some sort of dedicated switch or control to swap between auto and manual focus as found on more 'grown up' DSLR's instead you have to delve into the on screen menus to do this via the four way controller at the rear. Still, once you get used to this, swapping can be achieved relatively quickly.

Similarly, and again as with the E-410, there's no separate display window atop the camera for quick reference to key settings: you make you choices through a mix of button pressing, command dial twisting and continued reference back to the LCD. That said, you quickly get used to this omission and the mode wheel that's sat in the place it would typically occupy. The top of the E-510 is nevertheless quite busy at first glance. There is, in truth, slightly more room for the controls to breathe than on the E-410, with the shutter release button and exposure compensation button more detachedly sitting on the forward slope of the grip

Just behind this is an identical mode wheel to the E-410, again encircled by the on and off switch. Starting at full auto, and turning the dial anti clockwise you reach the options of Program mode, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, plus the easy shooting modes that comprise scene mode, plus dedicated night portrait, sports, macro, landscape, and portrait shooting options.

The on and off switch itself is in a different position to its little brother. On the E-410 it's positioned right up against the dioptric adjustment wheel for the viewfinder making use of this visibility aid awkward whereas here it sits in front of the main command dial.

This does mean however that you have to dig your nail into the gap between the dial and the mode wheel to flick the switch forward and so activate the camera. Again, Olympus doesn't appear to have quite found the ideal place for the on and off switch.