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Olympus' EVOLT E-510 digital SLR. Copyright (c) 2007, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Olympus announces EVOLT E-510
By Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Monday, March 5, 2007 - 00:00 EST)

The second of Olympus Imaging America Inc.'s two new entry-level digital SLRs announced today is the EVOLT E-510, a capable model offering mechanical image stabilization.

As with the E-410 model it is announced alongside, the Olympus EVOLT E-510 offers rather more "traditional" styling than some of the past EVOLT line, but the two don't share identical bodies. Instead, the E-510 is a few millimeters wider and offers a significantly deeper handgrip that adds to the camera's thickness, but should offer a comfortable hand-hold. The larger body also allows more room to fit in a larger battery, with an attendant increase in battery life as compared to the E-410.

The Olympus E-510 uses a fixed eye-level pentamirror with a 95% field of view. The E510's LCD displays is a high resolution 2.5" wide-view LCD with a 230,000 pixel resolution. As with the previous E-330 model, the E-510 allows images to be framed on the LCD display. Where the E-330 could do this in two different ways (each with certain limitations), the E-510's live view function comes solely courtesy of its ten megapixel Live MOS image sensor. This does mean that autofocusing isn't possible without first dropping the reflex mirror, briefly interrupting the live view for the duration of the autofocus process. Still, that small limitation aside, Olympus has certainly found many fans of the ability to have a live LCD preview comparable to those found on compact cameras. The Olympus EVOLT E510 stores images either on xD-Picture cards, or on CompactFlash cards (Type-I or Type-II, inclusive of Microdrives)..

The EVOLT E-510 couples its ten effective megapixel N-MOS image sensor with the same Four Thirds lens mount used in previous E-series digital SLRs, and compatible with lenses from all Four Thirds manufacturers. The image sensor is mounted on a platter allowing movement in two directions, so as to mechanically correct for camera shake in longer exposures. Other features include a 49-segment iESP metering system, plus center-weighted average, spot, and two further spot metering modes called "Highlight Spot" and "Shadow Spot". These latter two modes basically bias the camera's metering system for predominantly bright or dark subjects, which would otherwise be incorrectly exposed since spot metering systems aim to expose the metered area as 18% grey.

As you'd expect, the E-510 retains Olympus' unique Supersonic Wave Filter, which couples a high-frequency vibration of the imager to remove dust from its surface, plus a range of seals to stop movement of dust through the camera body. The E-510 also includes the latest iteration of Olympus' TruePic image processor. Dubbed TruePic III, the new processor is said to offer a one stop reduction in image noise over past variants at higher ISO sensitivities, and today's new EVOLTs are the first cameras to include the technology. Other benefits of TruePic III are said to include faster connectivity, faster flash card write speeds, faster startup, and improved image quality (detail, color accuracy, and color transitions).

The Olympus EVOLT E-510 will ship in June 2007, with pricing set at $799 body-only - a $100 premium over its sibling the E-410, which seems fair for a camera offering in-body stabilization on all lenses. A kit including an ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital zoom lens will cost $899, while a second kit including the same lens plus an ED 40-150mm f4.0/5.6 Zuiko Digital zoom lens will hit the market priced at $999 - impressively arriving at just under the magic $1000 point. Both lenses are new releases, and photos of each can be found in the press release at the end of this item.

Olympus EVOLT E-510
Olympus' EVOLT E-510 digital SLR. Copyright (c) 2007, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved.
General
Camera Type SLR
Manufacturer Olympus
Model Number E-510
Dimensions 5.4 x 3.6 x 2.7"
136.0 x 91.5 x 68.0mm
Weight 460.0 g
16.1 oz
Planned Price $899.00
Planned Availability June 2007
Image Capture
Sensor Type Four Thirds N-MOS
10.90 megapixels (total)
10.00 megapixels (effective)
Filter Type RGBG
Aspect Ratio 4:3
Image Dimensions 3648 x 2736 (10.0 megapixels)
3200 x 2400 (7.7 megapixels)
2560 x 1920 (4.9 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
1280 x 960 (1.2 megapixels)
1024 x 768 (0.8 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Quality 6 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder Yes, SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror
95% field of view
LCD 2.5", 230,000 pixels
100% field of view
Playback Zoom 10.0x max
Lens
Lens Type Interchangeable Lens
3x optical zoom
58mm lens thread
Lens Mount Four Thirds mount
Image Stabilization Yes
Focal Length 14.0 - 42.0mm (actual)
28 - 84mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/3.5 - f/22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)
Focusing System 3-point TTL Phase Difference Detection with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Focusing Range Normal: 10" - infinity (25 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity 100 - 1600 (1/3EV steps)
Shutter Speed 60 - 1/4000 second
Exposure Modes Aperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering Modes 49-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot/ Highlight Spot/ Shadow Spot (Spot Approx. 1%)
Exposure Compensation +/- 5.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Custom, One-Touch, Manual
Internal Flash Guide Number: 12
Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Fill-in, Slow synchronization, Manual, Off.
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
Creative
Scene Modes Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, Sport, High Key, Low Key, Digital Image Stabilization, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Panorama* (* Available with the Olympus xD-Picture Card), Beach & Snow
Self Timer Yes, 2 or 12 seconds
Storage
Recording Medium CompactFlash Type 1, CompactFlash Type 2, Microdrive, xD Picture Card
File System Complies with De sign Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format CCD-RAW, RAW (.ORF), JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
Video Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer USB 2.0 High Speed
Other Dedicated multi-connector (Video: NTSC/PAL, Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 is available
Power
Battery Type Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor Proprietary BLM-1
Product Bundle
Software OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM
Battery / Charger 1 x Proprietary BLM-1 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory 0.0MB
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
PictBridge Compliant Yes
Tripod Mount Yes
Remote Control Yes, RM-UC1 cable, RM-1 IR
Operating System Compatibility Windows, Mac OS
More Photos
Olympus' EVOLT E-510 digital SLR. Copyright (c) 2007, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved.
Olympus' EVOLT E-510 digital SLR. Copyright (c) 2007, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved.
Olympus' EVOLT E-510 digital SLR. Copyright (c) 2007, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved.
Olympus' EVOLT E-510 digital SLR. Copyright (c) 2007, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved.
Olympus' EVOLT E-510 digital SLR. Copyright (c) 2007, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved.
Olympus' EVOLT E-510 digital SLR. Copyright (c) 2007, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved.
Olympus' EVOLT E-510 digital SLR. Copyright (c) 2007, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved.
 

Original Source Press Release:

OLYMPUS EVOLT E-510 DIGITAL SLR OFFERS MECHANICAL IMAGE STABILIZATION FOR SHARP, BLUR-FREE IMAGES

2.5-Inch Live View LCD, 10-Megapixel Imaging Sensor and Proven Dust Reduction System for Clear, Spot-Free Photographs

CENTER VALLEY, Pa, March 5, 2007 – Olympus today unveiled its EVOLT E-510, a portable digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera with advanced technologies for photo hobbyists and those that are serious about their photography. While easy to use, this new digital SLR appeals to photographers who desire complete creative control. The E-510 also offers the following key features:

  • Live View LCD enables users to compose shots from a variety of angles other consumer digital SLR cameras just can’t match;
  • 10-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor for super high-resolution images that can be cropped or blown up to poster size without sacrificing image quality;
  • Mechanical Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive? technology provides blur-free images – across all of the more than 30 digital-specific lenses;
  • Dust Reduction System for spot-free photos, so users can spend more time taking pictures and less time removing unsightly specks from digital images with computer editing software; and
  • Extremely portable, lightweight body with an ergonomic grip ensures the camera fits snugly in the hand, and the portable body is complemented by two new ultra-compact digital specific lenses that won’t weigh you down and is perfect for any adventure.

Innovative 2.5-Inch Full Time Live View HyperCrystal LCD
The E-510 features a Live View LCD to provide users with the freedom to choose how they compose their shots, using either the LCD or the optical viewfinder on the back of the camera. The Olympus Live View LCD empowers users to easily compose their subjects live on the LCD before the shot has been taken, offering a level of versatility that can not be achieved by other digital SLR cameras that only offer an optical viewfinder. By holding the E-510 away from the face and using the Live View LCD to compose, it’s possible to shoot upward from a low angle for dramatic composition, in close for detailed macro photos of a butterfly’s wings or photographing a parade over a crowd of people.

The E-510’s big and bright 2.5-inch LCD display with approximately 230,000 pixels includes HyperCrystal™ technology, which offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors, and enables images to be beautifully displayed in vivid color – both in preview and playback. The HyperCrystal LCD also provides a wide viewing angle, which ensures images can be composed from even the most obscure angles. The larger LCD makes viewing icons and text on the camera’s menu a squint-free process.

Detailed, Bright and Colorful Photos with 10-Megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor
The E-510 is loaded with an impressive 10 million pixels for high-resolution photos. The 10-megapixel sensor gives photographers the flexibility to blow up their prints to the large sizes supported by many of today’s printers, or crop the image to print only a part of the image that is important to them. The high-performance Live MOS image sensor in the E-510 delivers excellent dynamic range for accurate color fidelity, and a new state-of-the-art amplifier circuit to eradicate noise and capture fine image details in the highlight and shadow areas.

Mechanical Image Stabilization for Sharp Images
Unlike other digital SLR cameras in its class, the E-510 employs Mechanical Image Stabilization, which compensates for camera movement. This new technology complements Digital Image Stabilization, which compensates for a moving subject. Combined, Mechanical Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization provide a powerful solution, ensuring blur-free photos even in active shooting situations where photographers may encounter camera shake or a moving subject. This powerful combination resides within the camera’s body, translating to blur-free images taken with any of the more than 30 digital-specific lenses.

Dust Reduction System for Spot-Free Images
Olympus’ Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter™. The patented ultrasonic technology vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor, and captures the debris on a special adhesive membrane every time you turn on the camera. These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching photographs at the computer or sending their cameras back to the manufacturer to remove dust trapped inside.

TruePic III for Image Clarity
Olympus’ enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible for every photo with accurate color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal representation in between. TruePic III also lowers image noise by one step to reduce noise in images shot at higher ISO settings, enabling great results in low-light situations.

Two More Lenses Added to World’s Largest Selection of Digital Specific Lenses
The versatility of the Olympus E-System comes from delivering the largest selection of “Designed-for-Digital” lenses –more than any other manufacturer to date. Olympus’ Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses come in a wide range of focal lengths to achieve the best image result in any given situation, and impress with their spectacular clarity and edge-to-edge sharpness.

Olympus' Zuiko Digital ED 14 – 42 mm f3.5 – f5.6 lens. Courtesy of Olympus, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Clck for a bigger picture!

The E-510 outfit includes a compact, Zuiko Digital ED 14 – 42 mm f3.5 – f5.6 Lens (equivalent to 28mm – 84mm in 35mm photography) that perfectly matches the imager so light strikes the sensor directly to ensure rich, accurate colors and edge-to-edge sharpness. Its 3x ED Glass zoom lens covers the range most frequently used in ordinary photography and weighs just 7.5 ounces, offering users an extremely dynamic, portable everyday-use zoom. Close-ups as near as 9.84 inches (0.25 m) are possible throughout the zoom range.

Olympus' Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens. Courtesy of Olympus, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Clck for a bigger picture!

The E-510 two-lens outfit adds the Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 (80-300mm equivalent) Lens, which provides users with greater telephoto power for far-away shots in a compact size. This telephoto lens is smaller than many standard zoom lens at 2.6 inch diameter x 2.8 inch length and a weight of 8.8 ounces – a real benefit for anyone who wants to pack a powerful zoom lens without taking up much space. It also has great close focusing abilities, and is able to capture a subject up-close from a distance of 31.5 inches (.8m). Consumers won’t break the bank to get this great focal flexibility. For a mere $100.00, the two-lens kit includes the Zuiko Digital ED 40-150MM telephoto zoom lens – a $279.00 value!

Both lenses are exceptionally compact, allowing unimpeded mobility. They are sized for comfortable handling and designed for maximum image quality at an excellent price. Most important, these new lenses have the world-renowned ED lenses that deliver stunning high-quality images.

All E-Series cameras support the Four Thirds Standard whereby Olympus and various other manufacturers produce high-quality Four Thirds-compliant lenses and accessories that are specifically designed for digital SLR image capture. Because the E-510 is part of the Olympus E-System, it is compatible with a large and growing range of Olympus E-System accessories to further enhance personal shooting styles and applications. This includes the full line-up of Zuiko Digital Specific lenses and flashes.

Easy-to-Use, Easy-to-Handle Light and Ergonomic Design
The EVOLT E-510 is extremely portable, measuring 5.35 inches (136mm) by 3.61 inches (91.7mm) and 2.2 inches (56mm), excluding protrusions, and weighing 16.2 ounces (460 grams) body only. The new camera has a classic penta-mirror design that is light and compact enough to comfortably shoot with all day. Beyond its portable size, the E-510 delivers unparalleled ease of use – from menus that make sense and buttons on the body that are easy to understand and operate, to automatic settings for every imaginable situation.

While the E-510 includes a full range of manual control options to customize your creativity, it also has 28 shooting modes designed to provide the ideal settings for a variety of shooting situations automatically. These include Digital Image Stabilization, Night Scene, Fireworks, Beach and Snow, and Candle Light to name a few, as well as an xD Panorama mode (for use with Olympus xD-Picture Cards). Users also benefit from special color modes and the possibility to apply a variety of Black & White filters.

Accepting both CompactFlash Type I & II, Microdrives, and xD-Picture Cards, the camera provides a choice of data storage options for enhanced flexibility, and it is possible to transfer image files from one card to the other right inside the camera.

Availability
The Olympus EVOLT E-510 Digital SLR will be available in June 2007. It includes: EVOLT E-510 Body, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLM-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCM-2), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM, Manuals, Warranty card.

US Pricing / Product Configurations
EVOLT E-510 Body Estimated Street Price: $799
EVOLT E-510 with 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens Estimated Street Price: $899
EVOLT E-510 Two Lens Kit (Body, 14-42mm and 40-150mm Lenses) Estimated Street Price: $999

ABOUT OLYMPUS IMAGING AMERICA INC.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances peoples’ lives every day. These include:

  • Digital and Film Cameras
  • Professional SLR Imaging Systems
  • Digital and Microcassette Recorders
  • Personal Photo Printers
  • Digital Media
  • Binoculars

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: www.olympusamerica.com.

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