| Brand: | Olympus | ||
| Average Rating |
|
The Olympus E-520 delivers brilliant results thanks to advanced technologies that produce clear, sharp images. The E-520′s industry-leading Image Stabilization technology, which is built into the camera body, compensates for movement so you can capture blur-free shots with any lens – even at slow shutter speeds. Autofocus Live View brings subjects into sharp focus; it is the perfect tool for macro, portrait or even landscape shooting. This camera was built to produce amazing results for photo hobbyists and serious digital photographers alike.This product bundles with ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 lens.This 3x standard zoom lens is the smallest and lightest in its class and features a closest focusing distance of only 25cm. The ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and two aspherical lens elements correct aberrations without increasing lens dimensions. The circular aperture diaphragm enables beautiful defocusing – one of the big advantages of this lens. Excellent mobility is assured by a weight of less than 190 grams. more info
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Olympus service rocks!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I absolutely love the E-520. I have bought five lenses for it so far; my favorite for sharpness is the 50mm f/2 prime lens, but for extra wide, I like the 9-18mm. I have the 70-300mm as well, and it can shoot a bird at 200 feet and put it right in your face.
I am also very impressed with the kit lenses. I do a lot of manual focusing and shooting, and these lenses are sharp… truly unbelievable for the price, and they stand up well against some very expensive glass by other manufacturers. Over the years, I have spent a LOT more money for lenses that turned out to be inferior to these.
Olympus makes some of the top lenses in the world.
The menu on the E-520 was easy for me to understand from the start, but I’ve been shooting with SLRs for over 40 years. Even though the E-520 is called an “entry level” SLR, it might prove daunting for a beginning photographer. Nonetheless, if you are mildly familiar with f-stops, apertures, shutter speed and film speed (or equivalent), I think you’ll find this an easy camera to operate.
I have spent hours at [...] comparing studio photos and resolution charts as shot by various cameras. Olympus measures very well against the big money cameras in the studio shots. In the resolution charts, though, Olympus falls behind. So, if you need the absolute best digital image money can buy and you can afford [...], buy the new Nikon; or, shell out [...] for a Canon Mark II or III. All these cameras will give you better resolution than any Olympus camera.
BUT… Although the price of those cameras is many times higher than your E-520, the quality of their pictures is not much higher. And, by the way, in my opinion the E-520 shoots better pictures than the E-30 or the E-3.
I don’t do magazine layouts or commercial photography; however, on occasion, I do like to blow a picture up to 16×20 or larger, and the E-520 gives very satisfying results.
Moreover, Olympus has given me GREAT service. I have had to return two lenses for various reasons. In one case, Olympus shipped me a brand new lens; in the other case, they repaired the lens and had it back to me within the week; no questions, no hassle.
easy to use DSLR and the picture is great
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
this is the first that I use a DSLR, I think it is pretty easy to use.
the picture is also great, but I don’t like the auto mode I prefer the aperture priority shooting mode.
E520 pops!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I use a Canon Rebel XSI at work. I bought the E520 for my personal use. It’s a great camera at a much better price. I wold highly recommend it.
excellent!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This camera is just about excellent. Its size and weight is very ideal, its built and design remarkable, and above all its performance and image quality is very good. And it’s got loads of features(withn built-in IS too) that with patient exploring and tweeking, will give you results that’s expected of a DSLR made by one of the finest names in the imaging industry. Plus, other than the kit lenses I got with it which aren’t really bad, I got a lot more better Zuiko lenses to look forward to for higher levels of photography. As it is right now, I am very much satisfied with its performance. I will highly recommend this to a fellow enthusiast who aims to reach higher grounds in the art of photography. And the price makes it all worth it. Very good camera…in fact, excellent!
awesome camera
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
this is my first SLR camera and so far i’m very satisfied with it. it takes great pictures, lots of manual controls and the speed is awesome. after buying a few lenses for it ive been experimenting and it definitely is worth the price in my opinion.
Great camera for a beginning DSLR user
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Prior to using this camera I shot a lot on a film SLR camera as well as a point and shoot camera. However as I began taking more and more photos for my blog I realized I wanted more features and the ability to use interchangeable lenses. I got this camera because it seemed like a good DSLR to grow into. It had a good range of features and was at a very affordable price point compared to the DSLR category as a whole. I also liked the reviews it got in Consumer Reports.
I also liked that I could shoot in automatic mode now using the various settings and eventually use more in manual mode. So far it has lived up to my expectations. Even though I don’t take advantage of all he features and am still learning I get my money’s worth.
Among the features I appreciate about the camera is all the different automatic settings. These are great if you’re not comfortable with shooting in manual mode yet. That said, I’ve noticed that many point and shoot cameras have more modes. For example, a friend has a different Olympus model (point and shoot) that has a food mode. Given I am a food blogger it’s one setting I WISH I had. However, you still do get quite a range of modes and they fit most of my needs well.
I also like that as far as a DSLR goes, this one isn’t too cumbersome. Yes, there are smaller ones on the market, especially with the micro four-thirds market, but this one is manageable. I can tuck it into a large purse or normal sized backpack without worrying about it. It’s still large enough that I don’t take it along to bars or parties much, however this would be true for me of most DSLR’s on the market.
Does it take better quality pictures with a point and shoot? Overall, my experience is that it does. I imagine that the picture quality would be even better for someone with more DSLR or general photography experience. Since I’m shooting primarily in automatic I’m not getting quite the results I hoped for and still have to tinker, but I attribute this to me not the camera. I don’t think that for a novice it necessarily makes for better pictures but co-workers who are more experienced than me tell me the quality is superb. I’m hoping to get there some day. That said, I’m very satisfied with the quality I get for my skill level but it certainly won’t make your photos look professional if your skills aren’t (again, something I fault myself for NOT the camera).
Overall this is a great camera. I’ve been very happy with the size, quality of pictures, and range of functions. I highly recommend it for a beginner who is looking to get a DSLR, but wants to start at an affordable price point.
New to DSLR’s…
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is my first DSLR. I saw it on promo at a local electronics store with the extra lens – It was the best deal I saw on a DSLR. So, I went and read the reviews on this camera and decided to take the plunge.
I take loads of pictures of my dogs (show dogs) and thought this camera would give me more definition and clarity…and it does not disappoint.
I simply LOVE this camera. The pictures are awesome and for a newby to the DSLR world, it is fairly easy to learn (although there is loads more for me to learn and I intend on doing my homework). This camera makes you want to learn cause the pictures are so awesome and if it’s doing such a great job on automatic, I just can’t imagine all the things it’ll do once I learn a bit more.
My friend went and bought a 14 mp Sony and although it is nice, the pictures are no better and the price tag was much heftier…and without the extra lens. Nope…I made the RIGHT DECISION.
I’m starting to invest in some accessories. I really want the 300mm lens, but just can’t afford it right now (any hints on a good alternative?). I bought a 500/1000 lens for long shots…now I need a monopod cause that lens makes my camera shake (too long to keep your hand steady). I’m also looking at the LOWEPRO 350 which will take both the camera and accessories as well as my 17″ laptop – think that will be my next purchase!
BUY THIS CAMERA – it’s simply AWESOME!!!
My olympus camera
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
I thought the camera was a lot more then what it is.I have used it and am not inpressed with it’s preforamce.I’m compareing it to my Nikon D100. I’llkeep on trying and see what I get
HJWinston
Olympus e520 is super
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
After extensive research of beginning level DSLRs and finally waffling between the Canon eos Rebel XSi and the Olympus e520, I picked the Olympus for my first DSLR. I am extremely pleased. I have taken pictures under all sorts of circumstances and on different settings and am very pleased with the results. The Olympus is easy to use and can cover a range of situations. As of yet, I have not had any difficulties or problems. The camera arrived in just 3 days after ordering and was just as advertised. I’m having a ball!
Awesome Camera
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have been an Olympus Camera user since I bought my OM-1 over 30 years ago. My first digital camera was the C-3030 camera which provided great use for over 8 years while living aboard my sailboat in the Caribbean. It was a natural choice to move up to the e-520 as I have a large collection of OM lens and wanted to use them on the new DSLR. The camera has a feel very similar to the C3030 in both menu and general feel. After receiving the camera I was really impressed with the quality of the images, both vibrant and great resolution. Although the original OM lens won’t give me auto-focus, this has proved to be a minor problem as I am used to the full manual functions of the OM-1. The quality of the pictures using the OM lens has been extraordinary. If you are looking for a camera that gives you a lot of bang for the buck I would highly recommend you consider it.
Olympus Evolt E520 Camera
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The best camera I have ever owned. Takes excellent pictures. I have had Canon cameras and have been very disappointed with the quality of pictures. This camera takes the best pictures yet. I am very satisfied with this product.
Excellent Camera, Best Value for the Money
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
First, it is my opinion that the Olympus e520 is absolutely the best DSLR camera you will find in its price class. Sure, there are more expensive models from other brands that are better. But for the money, you will not find a more capable camera.
Also, it is my opinion that there are three components that determine the quality of a photograph.
1) the camera. 2) the lens, and 3) the photographer’s ability to use the camera properly.
So keep those things in mind when deciding which camera to buy, you need a good lens too, and you will need to learn how to use the camera’s various features to get the best photos.
This is my first DSLR camera. I spent two months researching various DSLR cameras and read many reviews. And I admit, at first I did not seriously consider Olympus as an option because it is not as popular as the two leading brands (Nikon and Canon). Most of my friends and relatives have one of those two brands so I figured they were the best. But I was overwhelmed by the many conflicting reviews I read about Nikon and Canon models. It seems there are many opinionated and passionate brand loyalists out there who love their choice of camera. Which is perfectly fine except for their biased bashing of the other brands.
This made it very difficult for me to make an objective comparison between the brands. I had almost given up on my quest for the right DSLR for my needs until I talked with another friend who has the Olympus e510. He let me try it out and I found it to be very impressive and very easy to use. So I read as many reviews about the Olympus cameras that I could find and it turns out that nearly all those who own an Olympus love it and wouldn’t trade it for any of the other brands. So, for reasons I’ll explain below, I finally made the purchase and I soon found my new e520 was on the door step. Although the camera is not perfect (neither are the Canon or Nikon cameras), it did not disappoint and I am very satisfied with my choice.
+++ Pros +++
+ Excellent construction quality. This camera feels very substantial, sturdy and tough.
+ Excellent layout of buttons, and controls. The buttons and dials are easy to find and seem natural and comfortable when using them while taking photos.
+ The LCD screen is the biggest in its class if camera.
+ Very easy to use. I’m a first time DSLR user and it was very easy for me to learn how to use almost all of the cameras features. For those who prefer auto, no worries, it takes very excellent photos in auto mode. For those who want to customize the heck of the settings, no worries either, the Olympus e520 has more manually setting ability than any of the competition in the same price range. And changing the manual settings is so easy and quick with the super control panel that only Olympus has.
+ Image stabilization built into the camera body. This is a big deal. For crystal clear photos you really do need image stabilization. Especially if using telephoto lenses. The difference between Olympus and the other brands is Olympus puts image stabilization into the camera body while the competition puts it into the lenses. Lenses with image stabilization cost more to manufacture than lenses without. Therefore, with the Olympus system you will get more lens for the money since you won’t be paying for the image stabilization.
+ Unlike the competition, the entire Olympus system is designed from the ground up for digital photography using the new four thirds standard. This makes their telephoto lenses more capable and much less expensive. And Olympus has a very large selection of lenses to suite your needs.
+ The e520 has the fastest continuous shooting speed in its price range and received best scores for color accuracy in independent reviews. It also has the best dust reduction system in the market.
+ The kit lens takes very excellent photos and is a more capable lens than the competition’s kit lenses. This is because the four thirds system provides higher telephoto ability in the same size lens plus image stabilization is in the camera. Watch out for the other brands’ kit lenses. Many of them do not have image stabilization.
+ There are many more pros worth mentioning but not enough room!
— Cons —
- No camera is perfect. And for the entry level price I would expect some cons. Don’t worry, this camera takes awesome photos in almost any circumstance. And it also takes awesome photos in poor lighting situations as long as you use the flash. But, if you’re looking to take flashless photos in dim light by using a high ISO setting, you may be disappointed by the noise. The image sensor in the Olympus camera is smaller than other DSLRs and therefore is more susceptible to noise at high ISO settings. ISO 100 and 200 have no noise problems in any light condition. ISO 400 has an acceptable amount of noise. Anything 800 or above will produce way too much noise in my opinion. However, this is not a big issue for me because I use a flash when taking photos in dim light. Or, for night time scene shots, I just slow the shutter speed down rather than adjust the ISO settings. I do sometimes use ISO 400 with acceptable results.
- Generally, the auto focus works great. However, in dim light, the auto focus has to use the flash to help it focus. It does this by rapidly flickering the flash like a strobe light for a half a second while it focuses. This can be annoying and distracting to the subject you are photographing. Other brands use a red led to assist in dim light focusing. Not sure why Olympus didn’t do the same because the strobe light thing is really annoying. To solve this problem, I bought a hot shoe flash which uses the red led to assist focusing. I like this much better.
In conclusion, you can’t go wrong with Olympus. They manufacture very high quality cameras and lenses with many features that outshine the competition in the same price range. Too many people tell me their Canon or Nikon is better but then they paid two, three, or four hundred dollars more for their setup. Of course I would expect it to be better. Olympus also has higher end cameras that are more capable than the e520. But for my needs, the e520 is the best value.
love it
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
i bought the camera as a back up to the E-1, although the E-1 is built much stronger, the e-520 performs wonderfully. I will buy an E-3 eventually, but this will definitely help out in the interim .
My camera was bad?
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
I used it for 3 days and did lots of pictures.
I owned before this one Nikon D50 and what beautiful pictures the nikon did.
I used this one. and i did not get any decent ones.
probaly i read it could be the lens?
i dont know but i return and got another nikon. I just love nikons. maybe its me to be a nikon fan.
Great features
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I’ve used this camera for three or four months now and I’m very satisfied with it. I’m not giving it 5 stars only because I haven’t compared it to similarly priced Nikon and Cannon models, but I know that although definitely not for the point-and-shoot crowd, this is a good camera for intermediate to professional caliber photographers on a budget. The biggest limitation would be the relatively small choice of lenses available, compared with the Nikon, Cannon, or Sony. Also, the live view feature, while sometimes useful, really slows down the focusing and processing speed, to the point that I usually don’t use it. But it’s still a nice feature to have. The built-in stabilizer is particularly useful, and only a couple of other cameras have it built in to the body like this one. I highly recommend forgoing the kit Olympus lenses and buy a good Sigma or higher end Olympus lens. I’m using the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 macro, and it’s great. The kit 14-44 Zuiko is ok if you’re only taking run-of-the-mill snapshots, but if that’s what you’re doing, why get a camera this sophisticated to begin with? I used the Zuiko for a few weeks, but after getting the Sigma (available for about $375, but well worth it) I have yet to put the Zuiko lens back on.
Happy Picture Taking!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
First camera beyond a simple point-and-shoot for me. I am just constantly amazed at the quality of pictures this camera takes…
Olympus e-520 – User Review
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I purchased the Olympus E-520 about 6 months ago after researching cameras for about 3 months. I looked at the Pentax K200D, Canon XSI, Nikon D40, Nikon D40x, Nikon D60, Sony Alpha 300 as well as the Olympus E-420 and the Olympus E-510.
I read all sorts of detailed reviews ([...] has some of the best ones), watched video reviews and product demonstrations on YouTube, spoke to friends and family that owned some of the cameras mentioned above and most importanty, I went to camera stores and actually held (and worked with) the cameras in my hands.
This is my first DSLR camera and compared to the competition, I’m very happy with my selection. I wound up buying the camera body with the 2 kit lenses. Originally I planned to only buy the body and then either the 14-54mm or 12-60mm higher end Olympus lenses but I decided that having two (lower quality) lenses would give me a nice range to work with as I learn different techniques. Also I like to take pictures outdoors and am very happy with the pictures I’ve taken so far. This is not to say that I haven’t taken great pictures at night or indoors, I have and I will say that you can too but you have to learn how to use the camera. I took loads of horrible pictures at first, lucky for me, my dad (who owns the Sony Alpha 300 and has been taking beautiful photos with SLRs for years) helped me to understand that most of my bad pictures were my fault and not the camera.
I’d also like to recommend a book or series of books, “The Digital Photography Book,” written by Scott Kelby. In this series Scott tells you exactly how to acheive a various effect without really explaining the theory behind it. He will say something like if you want to get that silky warerfall or stream effect this is what you need to do: Switch your camera to Shutter priority mode, an set the shutter speed to 1 or 2 seconds. To avoid getting a picture that is blown out (because of all the light your slow shutter speed is letting in) it is best to shoot around sunrise or around sunset. Since the shutter is open for 1 or 2 seconds use a tripod. Since the water is moving it will be blurry and the surrounding area will be sharp.
Books like the one mentioned above will help you to realize that there is a lot you can do with your camera if you only take the time to learn.
I read all of these Amazon reviews months ago and really like how people can comment on a someone’s review and I recommend that you check out the comments that appear on 1 and 2 star product reviews, sometimes the comments reveal that the user incorrectly reviewed a product and that is helpful to know!
All of the cameras above take good pictures. It’s important to feel comfortable navigating the camera menus, you should feel comfortable holding and taking pictures with the camera and you should think about what you’ll be using the camera for.
I actually just purchased the Olympus MF-1 OM Lens Adapter ($82 on amazon), which allowed me to buy an old Olympus OM 50mm f 1.8 prime lens. Good glass will help me take better pictures and this adapter helped me to get a good quality lens for a ridiculously cheap price (I got the OM 50mm f 1.8 prime on ebay for $20).
The more I use my E-520, the more I love it. I’m learning so much and appreciating all that Olympus packed into this lovely camera. You can check out to pictures that I submitted in online photo contests ([...]) by clicking on the following link:
[...]
Good luck in your search!
Joe
Wonderful camera
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is my 28th digital camera and I love it. I had the Canon SXI for a short while and it was good but did not impress me. This SLR does impress me. It is wonderful for scenic work and for studio work. It is the best buy in a dSLR by far.
5 stars considering the price-point
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought the e-520 for one simple reason… it has several mitigating features that allow for an overall system price break while still giving pretty good quality images.
Yes, I know that other cameras have an edge when it comes to digital noise, dynamic range and number of megapixels BUT from a practical, real-world shooting stand-point you can get great images from the Olympus E-520.
The fact that even Olympus’s lower range of lenses are pretty good quality means that a person who is trying to scrimp can come up with a good “prosumer” camera system.
Consider this. You know that the drawback to Olympus’s four-thirds sized sensors mean that there is SLIGHTLY more digital noise at higher ISO settings, right? Well the smaller sensor means that my 70-300 f4-f5.6 tele-zoom is really the 35mm equivalent of a 140-600mm!!!… And still at f4-f5.6!!! That’s pretty good. And I spent WAY less then someone purchasing a 140-600mm.
Now… Image stabilization that is in the lens means that there is a premium added to the cost of the lens. Well, the E-520 comes with GREAT image stabilization in the camera body. No need to add that expense to the lens! Cool!
On top of that Olympus tends to price their cameras slightly lower than other similarly ranked cameras. AND they tend to put a couple other features in there for the price… like THE BEST sensor dust reduction system in DSLRs!!! Cool!
So far I’m quite happy with the E-520. If the E-620 had come along earlier I might have decided on that simply because of the higher mega-pixels. However, I’ve been quite happy with the image quality coming from this camera, “for the price-point”.
Check out cameralabs dot com and search for this camera.
UPDATE 7/23/09
Still a great camera for the price but I would now strongly suggest the E620 unless the difference in price is just something you can’t handle. I often find myself needing to crop in and I wish there were a higher resolution to do that with.
Also, do not be surprised if you use the 70-300mm zoom and see fuzzy images without a rock-steady tripod. At the 35mm equivalent of a 600mm lens there is not a lot of wiggle room to shoot hand-held, even with the image stabilization built-in.
Really nice upgrade from an Olympus 8080
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I purchased this camera as a (potential) upgrade for my older Olympus 8080. Now that I have had a couple of rounds with this camera, I am glad that I did. While the standard “kit” lens is underwhelming, you can get some VERY nice Olympus lenses for not terribly much money. With a lens upgrade, the pictures you can get with this camera are truly excellent!
The best beginner DSLR in the market!
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I started my DSLR experience with the E-510, while this was a quirky little camera that needed cajoling to perform well, the E-520 is nothing like that. After a year with the E-510, I ended up replacing it with the E-520 and what an improvement this camera is! A lot of quirks that the E-510 had (blown highlights, excessive contrast, bad LCD, underexposed mid-tones in JPEG) had been remedied in the E-520 and to add to that a bunch of newer features had been added as well. The most notable ones (for me) are:
1. Imager AF in live-view with face detection.
2. IS mode 3 for vertical panning.
3. Bigger and brighter and a more accurate LCD.
4. And by far the best addition, remote flash triggering for up to 3 groups!
It’s amazing that Olympus could offer so much in a so-called “beginner” level camera and to think Nikon doesn’t even offer live-view view! This is one of the biggest reasons for me to stick to Olympus as they don’t skimp on features even in lower-level bodies.
I have no hesitation in recommending this camera for the first time DSLR buyer as well as a pro looking for a back up body for the E-3. Although compact, it’s very nicely built and has a superior and much better build quality than the E-500 as well as similar Canon offerings.
I had the two kit lenses but sold the 14-42mm lens and kept the 40-150mm lens. I’m simply amazed with this lens as it offers an effective 300mm focal length in the smallest package currently in the market. I took the E-520 along with this lens to a recent U2 concert and the guards didn’t even stop me as they couldn’t tell what this lens was capable of by looking at its size! I ended up getting some stunning images with this camera and lens combo.
Last, but not the least, I would like to talk about IQ; Olympus has sorted out the tone curve in the E-520 and its MUCH better than the E-510 and allows amazing pictures straight out of the camera. I have no qualms using this camera all the way up to ISO 800, although at ISO 1600 the noise is higher than average and in some cases one will also notice banding in the shadows. I normally switch to B&W for ISO 1600 and that makes all the difference. However, in a pinch you can get some excellent ISO 1600 colour images as well if you’re willing to shoot RAW and carefully process. This is about the only “minus” in this camera that I can think of.
Overall, this is an excellent camera and gives an excellent bang for the buck and I highly recommend it!
A pleasant buy
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Just went by the reviews on Amazon and the more expensive model of the same lineage. I am quite pleased with the speed and quality of pictures. Hunts a bit in low light, but the colors in the picture are quite good. Overall, a good buy for the money and an easy picture taker.
Quick Transaction
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The complete process did not take as long as first believed and my camera was in great condition.
Great price
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This is my first DSLR and I picked the E520 over Nikon and Canon models because it does everything and more at a much lower price. Camera works great and pictures are fantastic. The only complaint is the auto focus is slow in low light but I expected that and the manual focus is not as easy as my old SLR cameras. Overall I am very satisfied with the camera and after years of waiting I bought the E520 because I think its the best DSLR Under $600 and I paid much less.
Love this camera!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is my first dSLR and I absolutely love it. The camera fits really well into my hard — others i looked at were a little smaller and didn’t fit my hand (even though they are fairly small) as comfortably. The default menu is great — everything you need access to is right at your fingertips. I bought the body only and upgraded the lens and I’m really glad that I did. I knew I was going to want to upgrade to a lower fstop and saved money by just buying the body & upgrading right away.
I would highly recommend this camera!