Olympus E-520 Digital SLR Camera
10 Megapixel , Live View , 2.7" LCD , Image Stabiliser
Features | Standard Accessories | Technical Specification | Latest Prices | Buy Now Everything Comes Into Focus With Olympus E-520 Digital SLR: Advanced In-Body Image Stabilization And Autofocus Live View Deliver Sharp Images. In-Body Image Stabilization Steadies Any Lens; TakeAnywhere Portable Design Means You’ll Capture It All
The new Olympus E-520 digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera delivers brilliant images thanks to advanced technologies that help take the blur out. Industry leading Image Stabilization built into the portable camera body compensates for movement so that images are sharp and blur-free with any lens and even at slow shutter speeds. Autofocus Live View brings subjects into sharp focus on the camera’s HyperCrystal™ II LCD. Together, these technologies produce amazing results, along with the following features that further expand the DSLR experience: In-Body Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive™ technology provides blur-free images when using any of the more than 30 digital-specific lenses; Face Detection Technology targets and locks on faces to ensure they are in focus and blur-free for amazing portraits; Shadow Adjustment Technology opens up detail in the shadows that other cameras would render too dark or underexposed while maintaining detail in the highlights; and Perfect Shot Preview enables photographers to view and select White Balance and Exposure Compensation effects right on the LCD, and see how the image will look before they even capture it. "Beyond a successor, the Olympus E-520 features an array of new technologies that help photo hobbyists and serious digital photographers take remarkable images,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager – DSLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Its image stabilization system now lets photographers pan while holding the portable camera vertically – perfect for capturing everything from a sprinter breaking from the pack to the bride and groom walking down the aisle."
Salient Features for Olympus E-520 Digital SLR Camera
Enhanced In-Body Image Stabilization For the first time, in-body Mechanical Image Stabilization has three modes for increased versatility. IS-1 mode for general shooting adjusts the sensor on both the X and Y axes to compensate for movement by the photographer so images stay sharp even at slow shutter speeds. To capture the motion of athletes and animals, and other moving subjects, the E-520 offers two specialized modes. IS-2 mode is ideal for capturing a racecar flying down the track, preserving the sense of motion while panning with the moving subject and holding the camera horizontally to dramatically portray the car’s high speed. For sharp images of moving subjects like a basketball player charging up the court, the IS-3 mode allows a photographer to hold the camera vertically while panning. The artistic effects of panning enhance the shot and render the player in sharp detail with blurred background. The Live View Experience The portable E-520’s advanced autofocus Live View enables photographers to compose their images and bring them into sharp focus on the HyperCrystal II LCD – just like a point-and-shoot camera. By simply pressing the shutter button halfway, subjects come into focus on the LCD, so when the perfect moment occurs it is easy to compose, focus and capture sharp images while viewing on the LCD. Live View makes it possible to shoot upward from a low angle for dramatic composition, in close for detailed macro photos of an exotic insect, or over a crowd of people at a tennis tournament. New and Improved HyperCrystal™ II LCD The E-520’s viewable HyperCrystal II LCD is the key to its Live View capabilities. While some LCD screens force photographers to squint to preview images in bright sunlight or a dimly lit room, the E-520 features a large, bright 2.7-inch LCD display that incorporates new technology. It also offers twice the contrast for better viewing in extreme light conditions, a larger color gamut that displays a greater range of color detail, and a 176-degree viewing angle. Always Find a Face in the Crowd The E-520’s Face Detection reduces the chance of blurred subjects in photography by distinguishing between people’s faces and the background. It tracks up to eight faces within the image area even if people are moving and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures.
In Sunshine or the Shadows, Never Miss a Detail Shooting scenes with shadows can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark and bright areas. The E-520 addresses this challenge with Shadow Adjustment Technology that compensates for extreme contrast and maintains visible detail in both the shadow and highlight areas of the scene. Now users can preview and capture images showing the shadow detail they saw. This feature is also available in the Edit menu after the shot has been taken. Preview a Multitude of Possibilities Perfect Shot Preview enables users to preview and select from a variety of thumbnail previews of the photographic effects of white balance and exposure compensation adjustments live on the LCD before taking the photograph. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, visually, without having to scroll through menu options. With 20 preset sceneselect modes for every imaginable shooting scenario from underwater photography to fireworks, and program, automatic modes and full manual controls, the E-520 offers a world of possibilities to photographers. Experience Life under the Sea Olympus will offer the PT-E05 optional underwater housing for the E-520 to allow photographers to document the richness of life in the depths. Capable of reaching depths of 130 feet underwater, the housing will ensure that divers will not miss an image during their journeys to the abyss. Special underwater scene modes on the E-520 will assure that the camera is set up correctly for underwater use. Wireless Flash Capability Sometimes wireless flashes can help photographers cast the best light on their subjects and capture great images. For this reason, the E-520 is compatible with the Olympus FL-50R and FL-36R wireless electronic flashes that are designed exclusively for digital photography. When these flashes are used in combination with the E-520, wireless multi-flash photography is possible. The E-520 can control up to three wireless flash groups independently, with multiple flash units in each group.
TruePic III for Image Clarity & Speed The 10.1 megapixel E-520’s TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal-clear photos using all of the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible for every photo with accurate color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal representation in between. TruePic III also lowers image noise by one step to reduce graininess in images shot at higher ISO settings, enabling great results in low-light situations. Dust Reduction System for Spot-Free Images Life moves too fast to spend time worrying about dust ruining the perfect image. Olympus’ proven Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter™. The patented ultrasonic technology vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor and captures it on a special adhesive membrane every time the camera is turned on. These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching photographs at the computer or sending their cameras back to the manufacturer to remove dust trapped inside. Easy to Handle, Easy to Operate The E-520 is extremely portable, measuring 5.35 inches (width) by 3.6 inches (height) and 2.68 inches (depth), excluding protrusions, and weighing 16.75 ounces (body only). The new camera has a classic penta-mirror design that is light and compact enough to shoot with all day. It features a comfortable ergonomic grip to ensure that the camera fits snugly in the hand. Beyond its portable size, the E-520 has an expanded menu for greater control and buttons on the body for quick and easy direct access to the most common settings. Accepting both CompactFlash Type I & II, Microdrives and xD-Picture Cards, the camera provides a choice of data-storage options for enhanced flexibility, and it is possible to transfer image files from one card to the other right inside the camera. 100% Digital-Specific Lens for Sharpness and Rich Colors The E-520 outfit includes a compact, Zuiko Digital 28-84mm equivalent (ED 14–42 mm Four Thirds) f3.5– f5.6 lens that perfectly matches the imager so light strikes the sensor directly to ensure rich, accurate colors and edge-to-edge sharpness. Its 3x ED Glass zoom lens covers the range most frequently used in photography and weighs just 7.5 ounces, offering users an extremely dynamic, portable, everyday-use
zoom. Close-ups as near as 9.84 inches (0.25 m) are possible throughout the zoom range. This lens is part of Olympus’ expanding line of 100 percent digital lenses – designed specifically for digital photography. Unlike other camera companies, Olympus does not rely on old film lenses, which often result in images with soft edges or other imperfections.
Standard Accessories for Olympus E-520 Digital DSLR Camera
Olympus E-520 Digital SLR Camera Lens (ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6) and (ZUIKO DIGITAL 40-150mm f4.0-5.6)
Strap
BLM-1 Lithium Ion Battery BCM-2 Battery Charger USB Cable Video Cable Olympus Master 2 CD-ROM Instruction Manual Warranty card
Technical Specifications of Olympus E-520 Digital DSLR Camera
Product Name Model Type Compatible Lens Lens Mount Media Effective Pixel Number Olympus E-520 E-520 Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system ZUIKO Digital, FourThirds System lens FourThirds mount CompactFlash card (Type I and II), Microdrive, xD picture card. (Dual slot). xD-Picture Cards can be used directly in the xD-Picture Card slot. 10 million pixels
Imager Size Type Total Pixel Number Aspect Ratio Filter Array LPF IR Cut Filter Dust Protect Filter Viewfinder Type Field Of View Magnification Eye Point Diopter Adjustment Focusing screen Mirror Viewfinder Information Depth Of Field Preview Eye Cup Eye Piece Shutter
17.3mm x 13.0mm Live MOS sensor Approx. 10.9 million pixels 4:3 Primary colour filter (RGB) Fixed type Hybrid type SuperSonic Wave Filter Eye-level TTL Optical Approx. 95% Approx.0.92x (-1m-1, 50mm lens, infinity) Approx. 14 mm (-1m-1) -3.0 to +1 Fixed (Neo Lumi-Micro Mat screen) Quick return mirror Aperture value, Shutter speed, AF confirmation mark, Flash, WB, AE lock, Exposure compensation value, Metering mode, Battery warning, Exposure mode, AF frame (super impose). IS activating mode. Yes (user customised FN button) Interchangeable type EP-5/6, EP-5 supplied (Magnifier Eyecup ME-1 is available) Eye piece cap EP-4 supplied Built in (Imager shift image stabilizer) with 3 modes. IS1 - 2 dimensional stabilisation. IS2 - 1 dimensional stabilisation in vertical direction for horizontal panning with camera held horizontally. IS3 - 1 dimensional stabilisation in vertical direction for horizontal panning with camera held vertically.
Image stabilizer
Autofocus Type
High speed imager AF (Contrast detection), Phase-difference detection AF; Contrast detection system (with 25mm f2.8, 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, 40-150mm f4.05.6)
Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / CAF + MF Focus Modes * C-AF mode is not available with the contrast detection system
AF Detection Range Focus Areas Focus Area Selection AF Assist Lamp
EV 0 to 19 (at 20 degrees Celsius; ISO 100) 3-point multiple AF Automatic and manual selection Built-in flash (can be deactivated), or AF assist beam on optional Olympus dedicated flashes Locked at first position of Shutter button in Single AF mode / AEL button (customizable) Interlocked with Continuous AF mode Available Available by rotating focus ring, available for setting manual focus operation in AF mode (customised) TTL open aperture light metering with 49-zones multi-pattern sensing system (1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multi pattern metering) (2) Centre weighted average metering (3) Spot metering (approx. 2% of the viewfinder screen) (4) Spot with Highlight control (5) Spot with Shadow control
AF Lock Focus Tracking Focus Aid Manual Focus Metering System
Metering Modes
Metering Range
EV 1 - 20 (Digital ESP metering, Centre weighted average metering, Spotmetering) (At normal temperature, 50mm f2, ISO 100)
Exposure Modes Scene Program AE
Auto, Program (with shift) Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Scene Program AE, Scene Select AE Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sport, Night + Portrait Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, Sport, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Panorama* (* Available with the Olympus xD-Picture Card), Beach & Snow, Underwater Wide, Underwater Macro
Scene Select AE
Exposure Compensation AE Lock Exposure Bracketing ISO Sensitivity (Auto) ISO Sensitivity (Manual) Shutter Type
±5 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable Locked by first position of Shutter button / AEL button (customizable) 3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1EV steps selectable
ISO 100 - 1600
ISO 100 - 1600, 1 EV steps Electronically controlled focal plane shutter Auto mode: 2 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings), P(Ps), S, A, M mode: 60 1/4000 sec. (Bulb: up to 30 min. with limiter),
Shutter Speed
Scene programme/Scene select mode: 4 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings) 1/3, 1/2, or 1EV steps selectable.
X-sync speed
1/180 sec. or longer. Super FP mode with specific Olympus Zuiko Digital dedicated flash units up to 1/4000 sec. Soft-touch electromagnetic release Operation time: 12 sec., 2 sec. (cancel available) Available (with optional RM-UC1 Remote cable.) Operation time: 2 sec., 0 sec., bulb control available (with optional RM-1 infrared remote control) Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting, Self-timer, Remote control max 3.5 frames/sec RAW - 8 frames JPEG mode - Depends on compression ratio and no. of pixels ((LN jpeg mode: approx. up to card capacity with SanDisk Extreme III 1GB) Advanced detection system with Live MOS sensor 8 settings (3000K - 7500K), Lamp (3000K), Fluorescent 1 (4000K), Fluorescent 2 (4500K), Fluorescent 3 (6600K), Daylight (5300K), Flash (5500K), Cloudy
Shutter release Self-Timer Remote Cable Release Remote Control Drive Modes Sequential Shooting Speed Max. Frame Number On Sequential Shooting Auto WB System Preset WB
(6000K), Shade (7500K)
Custom WB WB Compensation One Touch White Balance WB Bracketing Image Processing Engine Colour Space Picture Modes Colour Saturation Sharpness Contrast Monotone Filter Effect Picture Tones Gradation Built-in Flash Type Pop up Guide number Flash intensity control Flash bracketing Flash Modes External Flash Control Type Wireless Flash
1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K - 14000K) ±7 steps in each A-B/G-M axis (in Auto WB/Preset WB/One touch WB mode) 1 custom setting can be registered 3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in each A-G/G-M axis. TruePic III (improved) sRGB / Adobe RGB Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait, Monotone (default setting Natural), Custom (one setting from basic 5 settings is available) 5 levels in each Picture mode 5 levels in each Picture mode 5 levels in each Picture mode Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available Sepia, Blue, Red, Green in Black & White mode AUTO - Shadow Adjust; and 3 levels (high key, normal, low key) Retractable pop up flash Automatic or manual 12 (ISO 100 m) Up to ±3 EV in 1/3, 1/2, or 1EV steps selectable. 3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1 EV steps selectable. Auto, Manual, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow syncro, 2nd curtain slow syncro, Fill-in for exclusive flash. TTL auto FP / TTL auto for Olympus dedicated flash (with FL-36, FL-50), auto or manual. Yes
Capable Wireless Flash Control With FL-50R and FL-36R flashes Battery information, Exposure mode, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Expsosure compensation value, ISO sensitivity, Exposure compensation indicator, Exposure indicator, Flash intensity compensation indicator, Date, BKT setting, NR setting, WB, WB comensation value, Picture mode, Flash mode, Record mode, Image size, Card information, Drive mode, Flash intensity compensation value, Metering mode, Recordable still image number, Focusing mode, FP warning, AF frame, AF illuminator disactivated notification, , Colour space, Sharpness, Contrast, Saturation, Gradation, IS activating mode, Face detection, RC mode setting HyperCrystal II LCD panel (enhanced type) 2.7 inch Approx. 230,000 pixels 100% 15 levels (Colour balance 15 levels) Single-frame, Index (4/9/16/25/49/100 frames), Calendar, Close-up ( 2 - 14X), Slideshow, Picture rotation (auto mode available), Light box
Control panel information
Playback Monitor Type Size Pixel Number Playback Field Of View Brightness control Playback Display mode Playback Information Erase Modes Image Protect Mode Copy Mode Type Of Recording Format Type Of File Format RAW+JPEG Recording
Histogram (independent luminance/RGB available), Highlight/Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information Single frame, All frames, Selected frames (with protect function) Single frame, Selected frames, Release protect (Single/All selected) Single frame, All frames, Selected frames DCF, DPOF compatible/Exif, PRINT Image Matching III RAW, JPEG, RAW+JPEG Yes RAW: 3648 x 2736 compressed Approx. 11MB Large:
File Size
3648 x 2736 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 6.8MB 3648 x 2736 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 4.7MB 3648 x 2736 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 2.2MB 3648 x 2736 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 1.5MB Middle: 3200 x 2400 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 5.3MB 3200 x 2400 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 3.7MB 3200 x 2400 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 1.7MB 3200 x 2400 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 1.1MB 2560 x 1920 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 3.6MB 2560 x 1920 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 2.2MB 2560 x 1920 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 1.1MB 2560 x 1920 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.7MB Small: 1600 x 1200 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 1.3MB 1600 x 1200 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.8MB 1600 x 1200 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB 1600 x 1200 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.3MB 1280 x 960 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.8MB 1280 x 960 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB 1280 x 960 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.3MB 1280 x 960 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.2MB 1024 x 768 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB 1024 x 768 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.4MB 1024 x 768 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.2MB 1024 x 768 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.1MB 640 x 480 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.2MB 640 x 480 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.2MB 640 x 480 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.1MB 640 x 480 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.1MB
In-Camera RAW Development Image Editing PictBridge
Yes JPEG: Shadow adjustment, Red-eye fix, Trimming, Monotone, Sepia, Saturation (colour depth), Resize (producing another file) Yes Fn button: available to set 10 functions. (Face detection, Preview, Live preview, One touch WB, AF home position, MF, Record mode, Test picture, My mode, OFF)
User programmable custom settings
Drive button: available to set 6 functions. (Drive, AF target selection, AF mode, WB mode, Metering mode, ISO setting) Custom reset: 2 settings are recordable. My mode: 2 settings are recordable.
PC Interface
USB 2.0 High Speed for storage and camera control
Video Signal Output Flash attachment Battery Sleep Mode Battery life Dimensions Weight Operating Temperature Operating Humidity
NTSC or PAL selectable Hot shoe BLM-1 Li-ion battery (included) Available (1, 3, 5, 10 min., off selectable) Approx. 650 shots using optical viewfinder only (with 50% flash shots) with BLM-1 (under CIPA testing standards) TBD TBD 0 - 40 degrees C; (operation) / -20 - 60 degrees C; (storage) 30 - 90% (operation) / 10 - 90% (storage)