Olympus E-520

The perfect moment doesn't wait. That's why serious photographers need serious equipment so that they are ready for whatever comes. With its pro features and top image quality, the new Olympus E-520 D-SLR fits the bill perfectly. The next evolution to the EISA Award-winning E-500 series incorporates a built-in image stabiliser to ensure blur-free shots irrespective of the lens attached - no matter if wide-angle or ultra-tele and without the need for a tripod. Matched with the Supersonic Wave Filter dust protection system and improved Live View capabilities, the freedom to frame and take great, crystal-clear photos is virtually limitless. Based upon the forward-looking “designed for digital” Four Thirds Standard, the 10.0 Megapixel E-520 with Live View ensures uncompromising D-SLR quality. It will become available in June 2008.

Built-in image stabiliser

A type of image stabiliser that is built directly into the camera. This enables the photo-enhancing effects of image stabilisation to be enjoyed irrespective of the attached lens. In Olympus E-System cameras with built-in image stabilisation, a gyro sensor detects the precise direction of the shake. Using the on-board SWD, the shake is then compensated for by shifting the image sensor according to the movement data. For quick response at long focal lengths, cameras are equipped with two dedicated microprocessors: One to control the two supersonic motors that shift the unit vertically and horizontally, and one to provide high-precision control.

Face Detection Technology

A technology that searches for faces in a composition and recognises them as the main subject. It then automatically puts them in focus and optimally adjusts exposure to create an image that's sharp in the right places and ideally exposed.

HyperCrystal

A high-grade, fully-transmissive technology used in LCDs, which employs an additional layer at the bottom of the LCD to reflect light from external light sources. This enhances the brightness of the LCD, so even in direct sunlight images are displayed sharply and improved contrast compared to that of conventional displays. Also, it provides for particularly wide viewing angles without glare or shadow, so images can be framed from a variety of angles and viewed by several people at once.

Live View

Provides an alternative to framing shots through the viewfinder on a digital SLR camera. The image sent through the lens to the image sensor is displayed directly on the camera's LCD. Whereas most compact digital cameras have been equipped with Live View functionality for many years, this feature has only recently become available on D-SLRs. The world's first D-SLR to feature continuous Live View capabilities was the Olympus E-330.

RC Wireless Flash Control

The user can control wireless flash units remotely – eliminating the need for extra cables – by using the built-in flash as the system's master unit. Control options include the ability to independently regulate flash mode and compensation settings for up to three groups of flashes, four channel settings to avoid interference as well as a wide range of brightness levels.

Shadow Adjustment Technology

A technology designed to improve exposure for pictures with dark areas. Using a sensor that works much like the human eye, dark parts of a composition (e.g. a shadow under a tree) are identified and the camera then adjusts the exposure settings accordingly for those areas. The result is a more realistic and detailed picture.

Supersonic Wave Filter

Dust entering digital SLRs, for example during lens changes, can cause damage to photos – unless it is removed. With the Supersonic Wave Filter, the potential for dust to ruin photos is eliminated. A transparent filter is located between the camera's shutter and sensor. It makes sure no dust is able to land on the sensor. Instead, the particles settle on the filter and are then shaken off by a series of ultrasonic vibrations generated by the filter when activated. Olympus was the first manufacturer to incorporate dust protection in D-SLRs.

TruePic III image processor

Olympus' latest-generation image processing engine. It automatically enhances important aspects of image quality including: Colour reproduction (colour range, saturation and brightness), picture sharpness (reduced image noise, improved edge reproduction), as well as providing faster processing speeds.

Sensor • 4/3 type Live MOS sensor
• 17.3 x 13.0 mm active area
• 11.8 million total pixels
• 10.0 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array
• Fixed low pass filter (anti-alias filter)

Dust suppression Supersonic Wave Filter

Image processor TruePic III

Image stabilization • In-body sensor shift
• Three modes: Horizontal+Vertical, Vertical only, Horizontal only

Image sizes • 3648 x 2736
• 3200 x 2400
• 2560 x 1920
• 1600 x 1200
• 1280 x 960
• 1024 x 768
• 640 x 480

File formats • RAW
• RAW + JPEG
• JPEG (EXIF 2.2) - Four levels

JPEG compression • SuperFine (1/2.7)
• Fine (1/4)
• Normal (1/8)
• Basic (1/12)

Lenses • 4/3 standard lens mount
• Range of ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses available
• Multiply focal length by 2 for 35 mm equiv. FOV

Auto focus • 3-point TTL Phase Difference Detection
• Automatic or manual point selection
• 11-point TTL Contrast Detection
• EV 0 to 19 (ISO 100) detection range

Focus area selection • Automatic
• Manual

Focus modes • Single shot AF
• Single shot AF + MF
• Continuous AF (Phase detect only)
• Continuous AF + MF (Phase detect only)
• Manual focus

Manual focus Focus by wire

AF assist lamp Yes, flash strobe (flash must be raised)

Exposure modes • Auto
• Program AE (with shift)
• Aperture priority AE
• Shutter priority AE
• Manual
• Scene modes

Scene modes • Portrait
• Landscape
• Macro
• Sports
• Night Scene & Portrait

Other scene modes • Landscape & Portrait
• Night Scene
• Children
• Sport
• High Key
• Low Key
• Digital Image Stabilization
• Nature Macro
• Candle
• Sunset
• Fireworks
• Document
• Beach & Snow
• Panorama
• Underwater Wide
• Underwater Macro

Sensitivity • Auto (100-1600)
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600

Metering system • 49-zone multi-pattern
• Range (Digital ESP): 1 to 20 EV (50 mm F2, ISO 100)

Metering modes • Digital ESP
• Center-Weighted Average
• Spot (2%)
• Highlight based spot
• Shadow based spot

AE Lock • AE/AF lock button
• With shutter release half-press

AE Bracketing • 3 frames
• 1/3, 1/2, 0.7 or 1.0 EV steps

Exposure steps 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV

Exposure compen. • -5.0 to +5.0 EV
• 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps

Shutter speed • Auto mode: 2 - 1/4000 sec
• P, A, S or M mode: 60 - 1/4000 sec
• Bulb (up to 8 mins)

Flash X-sync speed • 1/180 sec
• 1/4000 sec (Super FP mode)

Aperture values Depends on lens: 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps

White balance • Auto
• Tungsten (3000K)
• Fluorescent 1 (4000K)
• Fluorescent 2 (4500K)
• Fluorescent 3 (6600K)
• Sunlight (5300K)
• Flash (5500K)
• Cloudy (6000K)
• Shade (7500K)
• Custom (2000 - 14000 K)
• Selectable (3000 - 7500 in 8 steps)

WB fine tuning • Red - Blue: +/- 7 steps (2 mired each)
• Green - Magenta: +/- 7 steps (2 mired each)

WB Bracketing • 3 frames
• 2, 4 or 6 mired steps

Color space • sRGB
• Adobe RGB

Image parameters • Color mode (Vivid, Natural, Muted, Monotone)
• Saturation (5 levels)
• Contrast (5 levels)
• Sharpness (5 levels)
• Monochrome (B&W, Sepia, Red, Green, Blue) - filter (Ye, Or, Re, Gr)
• Graduation (Auto, High Key, Normal, Low Key)

Drive modes • Single
• Continuous
• Self-timer
• Remote control

Continuous • 3.5 fps
• RAW: 8 frames maximum
• JPEG: Up to card capacity @ Large Normal (with high speed media)

Self-timer • 2 sec
• 12 sec

Flash • Auto electronic pop-up
• TTL auto / manual
• Guide no. 12
• Sync modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction,
Slow syncro, 2nd curtain slow syncro, Fill-in, Off
• Flash power: Up to +/- 2EV in 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps

External flash • Hot shoe
• External wireless flash with FL-50R or FL-36R
• TTL Auto FP / TTL auto for Olympus dedicated flash (FL-20, FL-36, FL-50)
• Modes:Auto, Manual, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow syncro, 2nd curtain slow syncro, Fill-in for exclusive flash.
• Flash power: Up to +/- 3EV in 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps

Viewfinder • Eye-level TTL Optical Pentaprism
• Field of view 95%
• Magnification 0.92x with a 50mm lens and -1 dioptre
• Eye point 14 mm at -1 dioptre
• Dioptre adjustment -3 to +1 dioptre
• Focusing screen: Fixed type
• Mirror: Quick return mirror

Viewfinder information • Aperture value
• Shutter speed
• Record mode
• AF confirmation mark
• Flash
• WB
• AE lock
• Number of storable still images
• Exposure compensation value
• Metering mode
• Battery warning
• Exposure mode
• AF frame (super imposed)
• IS activating mode.

Orientation sensor Yes

LCD monitor • 2.7" TFT LCD monitor (wide viewing angle, semi-transmissive)
• 230,000 pixels
• 100% frame coverage

Playback functions • Single
• Magnify (2 - 14x)
• Index (4, 9, 16, 25, 49, 100 frames)
• Calendar view
• Rotation
• Light box view
• Slide show
• Histogram
• R,G,B Histogram (With Highlight & Shadow point warning)
• Shooting information

Editing • RAW development
• JPEG editing (B&W, Sepia, Red eye reduction, Color saturation, Resize)

Storage • Compact Flash (Type I and II) / Microdrive
• xD- Picture card

Connectivity • USB 2.0 (Hi Speed)
• Video Out (NTSC / PAL)
• IR Remote control (optional)

Power BLM-1 1500 mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (supplied & charger)

Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68 mm (5.4 x 3.6 x 2.7 in)

Weight (no batt) 475 g (16.2 oz)

Box contents E-520 body, (Lens where appropriate), Li-ion battery BLM-1, BCM-2 battery charger, EP-4 Eyepice cover, USB cable, Video cable, Shoulder strap, OLYMPUS Master 2, Olympus Stuido 2 Trial, Instruction manual, Warranty card.