Background and Identification

The Olympus E-510 (called the Olympus EVOLT E-510 in North America) is a 10-megapixel digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera marketed towards the “prosumer” or “hobbyist” markets. The Olympus E-510 was released in March 2007 as the successor to the Olympus E-500 camera.

The E-510 was the first use of Panasonic’s MOS sensors rather than the Kodak CCD sensors Olympus cameras had previously used. It was also the first Olympus DSLR camera to include in-body image stabilization. Most successive E-series cameras include an image-stabilization sensor. The E510’s body and lens mount were designed using the “Four Thirds System” standard, which provides compatibility with other lenses for that system. The Four-Thirds system is a digital SLR standard using a crop factor of two, meaning that Four-Thirds lenses can be made smaller and less expensive but with worse high ISO performance.

The E-510 uses Olympus’ Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system to shake any accumulated dust from the camera’s sensor during startup and when requested by the photographer. This feature controls dust accumulation on the surface of the image sensor. The E-510 was released in several iterations: the camera body only, the body with a 14-42 mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens, and the body with a 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens and a 40-150mm 1:4-5.6 lens.

Technical Specifications

Type: Digital single-lens reflex

Lens: Interchangeable Four Thirds System

Sensor/Medium:

• Sensor: 17.30 × 13.00 mm Live MOS

• Maximum resolution: 3,648 × 2,736 (10 megapixels)

• ASA/ISO range: 100–1600

• Storage: CompactFlash (CF) (Type I or Type II) + xD Picture Card

Focusing:

• Focus modes: Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF

• Focus areas: 3-point TTL Phase Diff

• Focus bracketing: 3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1 EV steps selectable

Exposure/Metering:

• Exposure modes: (7) Auto, Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual, Scene, and Scene select AE

• Exposure metering: TTL open-aperture metering system 49-point multi-pattern metering

• Metering modes: ESP multi-pattern, Center-Weighted, Spot, Highlight based spot, Shadow based spot

Flash:

• Flash: Retractable flash TTL Auto, Manual

• Flash bracketing: 3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1 EV steps selectable

Shutter:

• Shutter: Computerized focal-plane shutter

• Shutter speed range: 60 s – 1/4000 s

• Continuous shooting: 3.0 fps

Viewfinder: Optical TTL

Image Processing:

• Custom WB: Auto, 7 preset settings, custom, one-touch, ±7 steps in each R-B/G-M axis

• WB bracketing: 3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in each R-G/G-M axis.

General:

• Rear LCD monitor: 2.5" TFT LCD, 230,000 pixels, live preview capable

• Battery: Lithium-Ion rechargeable

• Optional battery packs: Third party grips available

• Dimensions: 136 mm (W) × 91.5 mm (H) × 68 mm (D) / 5.35 in.(W) × 3.6 in. (W) × 2.67 in. (D) (excluding protrusions)

• Weight: 470 g or 17 oz (body only)

• Made in: China

Additional Information

• Wikipedia: Olympus E-510

• Digital Photography Review: Olympus E-510 Evolt Repair

• Olympus Evolt E-510 Specifications