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- Published on: 05/12/2008
Olympus E-520 with 14-42mm lens.
(Credit: Olympus America)Today, Olympus announced the E-520 dSLR, the replacement for the E-510 and step-up model from its E-420. The feature set is very similar to the E-420, but for the extra dough you do get some significant capabilities, such as sensor-shift stabilization (including an updated system with a mode that accommodates panning while vertically oriented), a larger continuous-shooting buffer and a deeper grip.
Like the E-420, the E-520 incorporates the same sensor as in the higher-end E-3. It also seems to use the same viewfinder and LCD as its little brother, and also includes support for face detection (still unusual for a dSLR), wireless flash and tonal-range correcting Shadow Adjustment Technology.
| Olympus E-420 (body only) | Olympus E-520 (body only) | Pentax K200D (body only) | |
| Sensor | 10-megapixel Live MOS 17.3 x 13.0 mm |
10-megapixel Live MOS 17.3 x 13.0 mm |
10-megapixel CCD 23.5 x 15.7mm |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 1600 | ISO 100 - ISO 1600 | ISO 100 - ISO 1600 |
| Focal-length multiplier | 2.0x | 2.0x | 1.5x |
| Fastest continuous shooting | 3.5fps 6 raw/JPEG unknown |
3.5fps 8 raw/JPEG unknown |
2.8fps 4 raw/4 JPEG |
| Mechanical image stabilization | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 95 percent coverage 0.92x magnification 14mm eye point |
95 percent coverage 0.92x magnification 14mm eye point |
96 percent coverage 0.85x magnification Eye point n/a |
| Autofocus | 3 points | 11 points contrast detection 3 points phase detection |
11 points |
| Live View | Yes | Yes | No |
| Wireless flash controller | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LCD size | 2.7 inches 176-degree viewing angle |
2.7 inches 176-degree viewing angle |
2.7 inches 160-degree viewing angle |
| Price (body only) | $449.99 | $599.99 | $699 |
The company also announced a new f4.0-5.6 9-to-18mm wide-angle lens (19-to-36mm equivalent), shipping this fall, though at $599 I think my idea of an "affordable consumer lens" and Olympus' diverges a bit. Slated to ship in July, a body-only version of the E-520 will run about $599.99, while a kit with an ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens (24-to-48mm equivalent) has an estimated street price of $699.99.
Where to buy
Olympus Evolt E-520 (body only): $10.99 | store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace | $10.99 | Yes |  |
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