Product Reviews

Like the earlier entry-level Olympus E-420, the mid-range E-510 has undergone a revamp in the form of the E-520. There's no change in the body shape, and viewed from the front, top and sides it's essentially the same plastic case as the E-510's, albeit with some extras. A different profile, for example, to the aft-selector dial seems an improvement as does the taller shooting mode dial.

Odd as it may seem, the improvements to the camera's finish now overshadow the somewhat tacky-looking plastic outer of the bundled 14-42mm (28-84mm equivalent) kit lens. It's still the same solid performer though, offering arguably the best picture quality of any of the bundled starter lenses on the market.

The new Hyper-Crystal II 2.7in LCD screen on the E-520 looks a lot larger than the E-510's and belies the diagonal 1/5in increase, but it's the picture quality, and in particular the colour accuracy, which impresses. Legibility in brighter light is a step or two in the right direction too, though few DSLRs, if any, can match the panel found on Canon PowerShot G9.

Along with the screen's larger size, contrast-detection auto-focus during Live View has been added, along with a face-detection option. This gives the E-520 the option to switch between the faster viewfinder-based AF for shooting overhead, and using the main imager for more precise focusing, which is crucial for macro and other high-magnification photography.

Face-detection is a novelty, but it can be used to good effect for individual, static portraits or with large-groups as both focus and exposure are optimised for difficult lighting. We found the various auto-focus systems including a new 11-point option in Live View surprisingly versatile and reasonably quick in operation. And, unlike some rivals, a dedicated button for Live View makes it easy to switch

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between viewing modes.

Sadly, the E-520 doesn't inherit the viewfinder-based AF system nor optics of the semi-pro E-3. While quite bright and clear, the viewfinder image remains small and a bit poky and, if we're being honest, the aging three-point AF system could do with a bit of an overhaul.

Most DSLRs are chosen over compacts for their faster handling, and overall the E-520 feels fast and responsive. Unlimited continuous shooting of Jpegs is possible with a high speed CompactFlash card though, as claimed, the E-520 can buffer just eight Raw frames albeit up to 3.5fps. If we're counting, that's two Raw frames more than the 12-megapixel Canon EOS 450D.

Best of all though, we found changes to the E-520's image processing, including a new auto white balance algorithm and the addition of the maker's Shadow Adjustment Technology is a big improvement. This helps lower the contrast between areas of shadow and bright highlights in our backlit shots and, thanks to the former, colours looked great even under mixed lighting.

To benefit from SAT, the Auto Gradation option must be selected first - a simple task thanks the shortcuts using the data-panel. But, unlike the E-420 which has a similar Auto Gradation feature, we found we couldn't leave the camera set to this option without leading to images with some overexposed areas at times.

Fortunately though the high ISO banding we saw with that model was less troublesome with the E-520. Noise was generally kept to acceptable levels, and the maximum ISO1600 option is usable at a push albeit with the inevitable loss of fine detail and some colour accuracy.

Although a little rocky, output was overall a notch or two above the older E-510. It all adds up to a well-rounded and formidable package, especially when you factor in the automated sensor cleaning and built-in image stabilisation (IS) systems. The IS option is compatible with every FourThirds lens, even those from other makers, and can provide up to 4 stops (EV steps) of anti-shake protection.

Ultimately, it's a sensible upgrade, but there's not enough here to warrant selling your E-510. It would, however, make a good choice as a second body especially to an E-3, or as an attractive alternative to the typical Canon and Nikon offerings. But try as we might we can't see why Olympus hasn't yet added a completely new model to the range. We're sure there's room for it.