Olympus E-520 Digital Camera
(4 out of 5)
While not the best entry-level D-SLR, the E-520 still offers a great value for the money.
Review date: Sep 26, 2008
The Olympus E-520 is a solid, full-featured digital SLR and an excellent value. For around $600 you get a camera that has features for both beginners and enthusiasts, good photo quality (in most situations), image stabilization, and responsive performance -- plus one of the better kit lenses on the market. The E-520 does have its flaws, though, including soft images, high ISO performance that's just fair, and the tendency to clip highlights. However, these issues shouldn't be much of a problem for the typical entry-level D-SLR buyer. While I'm not jumping up and down about it, the E-520 is still good enough to earn my recommendation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
- Very good photo quality in most cases
-
Good value for the money -- doesn't feel "cheap"
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
- Dust reduction system
- Live view with contrast detect AF and face detection (with some lenses) on a 2.7" LCD display
- Full manual controls
- RAW image format supported
- Impressive continuous shooting mode for an entry-level SLR
- Handy Perfect Shot Preview feature
- Lots of scene modes for a D-SLR
- Redeye not a problem
- Good quality kit lens
- Support for wireless flashes
- Above average battery life
| - Photos on the soft side, especially at high ISOs
- Images are noisy when noise filter is lowered -- banding at highest sensitivities
-
Tends to clip highlights easily -- occasional overexposure
- Small optical viewfinder
- Slow contrast detect AF, unimpressive face detection in live view mode -- both features only available with a select few lenses
- Only 3 focus points when shooting with viewfinder
- No AC adapter or battery grip available
- Manual could be more detailed
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