Olympus E-520 Review

With the E-520, Olympus has added a broad array of enhancements to what was already a feature-packed camera. So on top of a DSLR which offered built-in stabilisation, live view and effective anti-dust, you now also get faster continuous shooting, a slightly bigger screen, contrast-based AF with face detection, a new IS mode, improved dynamic range and live previews of several adjustments. A surprise bonus is also the optional underwater housing.

So a DSLR which was already good has just got better, but Olympus hasn�t actually addressed any of the bigger concerns which faced the earlier E-510. The viewfinder remains smaller than most DSLRs and the main AF remains a fairly basic 3-point system. It�s also revealing while companies like Canon have boosted the resolution of models like the EOS 450D / XSi, Olympus has remained static on the Megapixel front. To be fair, 10 Megapixels is sufficient for most of us, but it does beg the question whether we�re at the acceptable quality limit offered by the Four Thirds sensor size. Certainly we found there�s already less latitude for retrieving blown highlight detail than some rival models.

So with the core specifications remaining essentially the same as its predecessor, there�s no compelling reason for E-510 owners to upgrade. Existing owners with money to spend should either consider the significant upgrade to the flagship E-3, or investing in additional lenses, such as the excellent Zuiko Digital 12-60mm or the 25mm pancake.

If you�re shopping for your first DSLR though or upgrading from an older model, the E-520 makes a great choice. It may not feature 12 or 14 Megapixels, but still records a decent degree of detail and as our outdoor comparisons illustrate, you�d be hard pushed telling much difference between it and the Canon 450D / XSi.

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