Release Issued by Olympus:
Olympus E-520 with built-in image stabilisation for razor-sharp results
London, 13 May 2008 – 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 successor 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 and retail for £479.99 for body only.
Flexibility is the name of the game
The E-520 relegates blurred photos to a thing of the past. Its built-in image stabiliser ensures subjects are captured in ultimate sharpness, shot after shot – no matter if shooting from the back of a motorbike on rough terrain or capturing a spontaneous “stolen moment” out of the hand in a market square. Because the stabiliser is located in the camera body and not in individual lenses, photographers can shoot with confidence regardless of which lens is attached: from wide-angle models like the soon-to-be-released ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm 1:4.0-5.6 to high-performance zooms such as the new ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 (equiv. to 140-600mm in a 35mm format).
Sequential shooting at 3.5fps with up to eight images in RAW buffer captures every moment. Matched with fast processing speeds and the exceptionally low noise performance that’s attributable to the TruePic III image processor, high-speed action becomes your friend. Broad-ranging sensitivity from ISO 100-1600 adds versatility, and the bracketing function let series of shots to be taken with varying adjustments of exposure, focus or white balance, allowing the best of the shots to be selected.
For low-light shooting situations photographers can select the built-in flash or choose an optional external unit. Wireless flash control is also possible with this model, making customised lighting set ups an easy reality.
As with all cameras in the Olympus E-System line-up, the E-520 incorporates the Supersonic Wave Filter to protect against the effects of dust, which can enter the camera during lens changes or otherwise result from normal operation. Photographers therefore enjoy blemish-free pictures at all times.
Complex features – designed for easy usage
Despite being the powerhouse it is, the Four Thirds System-based E-520 remains a pleasure to use. Its ergonomic body houses the capabilities that not only advance image quality but also enrich the complete photo-taking experience. Live View has been enhanced to boost user friendliness. In addition to allowing depth of field previews, providing the facility to control exposure compensation and white balance on-screen, it is also possible to see the effects of Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology in real time on the 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal II LCD. In addition, autofocus changes can now also be seen directly on the display. This has been made possible by implementing a contrast AF system* in addition to the customary phase difference detection AF system, which means that the mirror needn’t move to the down position for AF measurements to be made and previewed in Live View.
The LCD boasts viewing angles of 176° and has a field of view that covers 100% of the frame. Live View is also ideal to support the needs of macro photographers wishing to focus visually, as sections of the subject can be enlarged by a factor 7 or 10 to aid manual focus adjustments.
The E-520 includes a total of 32 user-friendly shooting modes to make shooting easy no matter the situation: whether at a candlelight dinner, taking a portrait or shooting under water. Operabilition is a cinch too: users can choose on-screen menus in up to 10 languages – and many more are also available for download. A long-life rechargeable battery ensures extended shooting. Dual CompactFlash and xD-Picture Card slots enable excellent storage flexibility, and the downloading of files is fast thanks to USB Hi-Speed 2.0.
A complete system for photographic creativity
As part of the Olympus E-System, the E-520 is compatible with virtually all system accessories. This embraces numerous flash units including the wireless FL-36R and FL-50R to take advantage of the camera’s remote flash control capabilities. More than 20 ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses – all featuring near telecentric construction – are available, covering a focal length range of 14-600mm (35mm equivalents). Among the latest
ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses are the ED 9-18mm 1:4.0-5.6 (18-36mm),
ED 14-35mm 1:2.0 SWD (28-70mm), ED 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 (140-600mm), and 25mm 1:2.8 (50mm) Pancake lens. Beyond this, thanks to the one-of-a-kind compatibility the Four Thirds System provides, photographers can also use lenses from other manufacturers adhering to the standard.
Further enhancing shooting opportunities, a special underwater case will also become available for the E-520. Waterproof to a depth of up to 40m, it opens up an entirely new realm of creative photography.
Satisfying demands for pro results and remaining surprisingly compact, the Olympus E-520 makes sure every photo comes out razor-sharp thanks to its built-in image stabiliser. It will go on sale from June 2008.
The Olympus E-520 digital SLR – main features:
- · Built-in image stabiliser for all lenses
- · Autofocus Live View
- · Excellent dust reduction system
- · 100% D-SLR quality
- · Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology
- · 6.9cm/2.7" HyperCrystal II LCD
- · 10 Megapixel Live MOS sensor
- · 3.5fps with up to 8 images in RAW buffer
- · Built-in flash and wireless flash control
- · 32 shooting modes
- · Optional underwater case available
- · Four Thirds Standard
- · Compact and ergonomic design
- · Bracketing functions
- · ISO 100-1600
- · AF/ AE lock functionality
- · Depth of field preview
- · Anti-shock (mirror lock) function
- · One-touch white balance
- · Perfect Shot Preview
- · 100% field of view via LCD
- · TruePic III image processor
- · Detailed playback info screen with histogram
- · Hi-Speed USB 2.0
The Olympus E-520 is available in the following configurations:
- · Olympus E-520 Lens Kit - £529.99
(E-520 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens)
- · Olympus E-520 Double Zoom Kit - £629.99
(E-520 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 and ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6 lenses)
- · Olympus E-520 Tele Double Zoom Kit - £759.99
(E-520 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 and ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 lenses)
- · Olympus E-520 (body only) - £479.99
* Full contrast AF performance is available with new Olympus lenses including the ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6, the ZUIKO DIGITAL 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6, and the new ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 “pancake” lens. A free firmware update can be downloaded via Olympus Master or Studio software from the Olympus homepage to enable this feature for lenses that were purchased previously.
Appendix
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.
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Specifications
| Type |
| Lens mount | Four Thirds |
| Body material | Glass reinforced plastics |
| Image Sensor |
| Effective pixels | 10 Megapixels |
| Filter array | Primary colour filter (RGB) |
| Full resolution | 11.8 Megapixels |
| Type | 4/3 '' Live MOS sensor |
| Aspect ratio & area | 4:3 / 17.3 x 13.0 mm |
| Engine |
| Type | TruePic III |
| Filter |
| LPF filter | Yes Fixed type |
| IR cut filter | Yes Hybrid type |
| Dust reduction filter | Yes Supersonic Wave Filter |
| Viewfinder |
| Viewfinder type | Eye-level Pentaprism type optical view finder |
| Field of view | Approx. 95 % |
| Magnification | Approx. 0,92 x with a 50mm lens set to infinity at -1 dioptres |
| Depth of field preview | Yes Customized Fn button via viewfinder or via LCD in Live View |
| Eye point | 14 mm |
| Diopter adjustment | Yes -3.0 - +1.0 diopter / built-in type |
| Focusing screen | Fixed type (Neo Lumi-Micron Mat Screen) |
| Mirror | Quick return mirror |
| Viewfinder Information | Yes AF frame (super impose), AE lock, AF confirmation mark, metering mode, exposure mode, shutter speed, aperture value, white balance, exposure compensation value indicator, flash, IS activating mode, battery check |
| Eye piece shutter | Eye-piece cap EP-4 supplied |
| Live View |
| AF type | Option between phase difference detection system and contrast detection autofocus |
| Information | 100% field of view, exposure adjustment preview, white balance adjustment preview, gradation setting preview (SAT), face detection preview, perfect shot preview, gridline displayable, 7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, shooting information, histogramme, IS activating mode |
| Image Stabiliser |
| Type | Sensor shift |
| Modes | Two-dimensional, vertical or horizontal activation |
| Effective Compensation Range | Up to 4 EV steps |
| Focusing System |
| Method | TTL phase difference detection system, contrast detection system |
| Focus areas | 3 points / Automatic and manual selection. For contrast detection AF, 11 points are used. |
| AF illuminator | Yes Built-in flash (external flash available / inactivation possible) |
| AF lock | Yes Locked by first position of shutter release button, AE/AF lock button (customised) |
| Focus tracking | Yes Available in continuous AF mode |
| Manual focus | Yes Available by rotating focus ring, available for setting manual focus operation in AF mode (customised) |
| Single AF | Yes |
| Single AF + MF | Yes |
| Continuous AF | Yes only available for TTL phase difference detection |
| Continuous AF + MF | Yes only available for TTL phase difference detection |
| Detection range | 0 - 19 EV (ISO 100) |
| Bracketing | 3 frames - 1 / 2 steps |
| Exposure System |
| Exposure compensation | +/- 5 EV / 1/3 steps |
| Exposure bracketing | 3 frames / +/- 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 EV steps |
| Light Metering |
| Method | TTL open aperture light metering |
| Zones | 49 zones Multi-pattern Sensing System |
| Detection range | 1 - 20 EV (50mm, 1:2, ISO 100) |
| ESP light metering | Yes |
| Spot metering | Yes |
| Centre weighted metering | Yes |
| Highlight | Yes |
| Shadow | Yes |
| Scene Modes |
| Number of scene modes | 20 |
| Portrait | Yes |
| Landscape | Yes |
| Landscape with Portrait | Yes |
| Night Scene | Yes |
| Night Scene with portrait | Yes |
| Children | Yes |
| Sports | Yes |
| High key | Yes |
| Low key | Yes |
| Image Stabilisation Mode | Yes |
| Macro | Yes |
| Nature Macro | Yes |
| Candle | Yes |
| Sunset | Yes |
| Fireworks | Yes |
| Documents | Yes |
| Beach and Snow | Yes |
| Panorama | Yes |
| Underwater Wide | Yes |
| Underwater Macro | Yes |
| Exposure Modes |
| Auto | Yes |
| Programme automatic | Yes |
| Aperture priority | Yes |
| Shutter priority | Yes |
| Manual | Yes |
| Scene Modes | Yes |
| Sensitivity |
| Auto | ISO 100 - 1600 |
| Manual | ISO 100 - 1600 (adjustable in 1 EV steps) |
| Shutter |
| Shutter type | Electronically controlled focal plane shutter |
| Shutter release | Soft Touch Electromagnetic |
| Self timer | 12 s / 2 s |
| Anti Shock | Yes Release delay: 1 - 30 s |
| Shutter Speeds |
| Shutter speed range | 1/4000-60 s |
| AUTO | 1/4000-2 s |
| Shutter speed P, Ps | 1/4000-60 s (up to 30 min in Bulb mode) |
| Shutter speed A priority | 1/4000-60 s (up to 30 min in Bulb mode) |
| Shutter speed S priority | 1/4000-60 s (up to 30 min in Bulb mode) |
| Shutter speed Manual | 1/4000-60 s (up to 30 min in Bulb mode) |
| Shutter speed scene mode | 1/4000-4 s |
| White Balance |
| AUTO WB system | Advanced detection system with Live MOS sensor |
| One-touch white balance | Customised One-Touch WB button |
| White balance adjustment | Yes +/- 7 |
| White balance bracketing | 3 frames / +/- 2, 4, 6 mired steps |
| Selectable steps in Kelvin | 8 steps (3000 - 7500 K) |
| Tungsten | Yes 3000 K |
| Flourescent 1 | Yes 4000 K |
| Flourescent 2 | Yes 4500 K |
| Flourescent 3 | Yes 6600 K |
| Sunlight | Yes 5300 K |
| Flash | Yes 5500 K |
| Overcast | Yes 6000 K |
| Shade | Yes 7500 K |
| Custom WB | 1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K - 14000K) |
| Sequence Shooting |
| Sequential shooting mode | 3.5 fps / Up to card capacity in Large Normal mode
3.5 fps / 8 frames RAW |
| Image Processing |
| Colour space | sRGB / AdobeRGB |
| TruePic III | Yes |
| Sharpness + Contrast | 5 levels |
| Saturation | 5 levels |
| Contrast | 5 levels |
| Black & White filter | Yellow, Orange, Red, Green |
| Black & White toning | Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green in Black & White mode |
| Picture mode | Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait, Black & White (default setting Natural). |
| Gradation | 4 (auto, high key, normal, low key) |
| Internal Flash |
| Guide number | 12 (ISO 100) |
| Flash compensation | +/- 3 EV / 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps |
| AUTO | Yes |
| Manual | Yes |
| Red-eye reduction | Yes |
| Slow synchronisation | Yes |
| Slow synchronisation 2nd curtain | Yes |
| Fill-in | Yes |
| Slow synchronisation with red-eye reduction | Yes |
| Off | Yes |
| Bracketing | 3 frames / 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps |
| External Flash Control |
| X-sync speed | 1/180 s / 1/4000 s |
| Type | TTL Auto for Olympus dedicated flash, Auto or Manual |
| Synchronisation modes | Auto, Manual, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow syncro, 2nd curtain and slow syncro, Fill-in for exclusive flash |
| Intensity | +/- 3 EV / 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps |
| Built-in flash and wireless flash control from the camera body |
| Compatible external flash | FL-50R, FL-36R |
| Control method | Triggered and controlled by built-in flash light |
| Modes | TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual, FP TTL Auto, FP Manual |
| Group setting | 3 groups |
| Number of channels | 4 channels |
| LCD |
| Resolution | 230000 dots |
| LCD type | HyperCrystal II LCD |
| Monitor size | 6.9 cm / 2.7 '' |
| Brightness adjustment | 15 levels |
| Colour balance | 15 levels |
| Super Control Panel |
| Displayed information | |
| Metering mode | Yes |
| Exposure mode | Yes |
| Aperture value | |
| Shutter speed | Yes |
| Exposure level view | Yes |
| Flash compensation value | Yes |
| Exposure compensation indication | Yes |
| AE bracketing | Yes |
| ISO | Yes |
| Colour space | Yes |
| Picture mode | Yes |
| Gradation | Yes |
| Colour saturation compensation value | Yes |
| Sharpness compensation value | Yes |
| Contrast compensation value | Yes |
| White balance | Yes |
| White balance compensation value | Yes |
| Noise reduction | Yes |
| AEL notification | Yes |
| Flash mode | Yes |
| Focus mode | Yes |
| AF frame | Yes |
| Drive mode | Yes |
| Record mode | Yes |
| Number of storable frames | Yes |
| Memory card | Yes |
| Battery indicator | Yes |
| Super Control Panel (Flash) |
| Displayed information | |
| Exposure mode | Yes |
| Shutter speed | Yes |
| Aperture value | Yes |
| Exposure compensation indication | Yes |
| Flash compensation value | Yes |
| AEL notification | Yes |
| Noise reduction | Yes |
| Bracketing | Yes |
| AF illuminator disactivated notification | Yes |
| Colour space | Yes |
| Wireless channel setting | Yes |
| Built-in flash intensity | Yes |
| Group settings | Yes |
| View Images |
| Histogram in playback mode | Yes |
| Zoom | Yes 2-14 x |
| Index | Yes 4, 9, 16, 25, 49, 100 frames |
| Slide show | Yes |
| Calendar | Yes |
| Shooting information | Exposure mode, metering mode, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure compensation level, ISO, colour space, white balance mode, white balance compensation level, focal length, focus area, file type, picture mode, file name, image size, recorded card type. |
| Exposure level view | Histogram (R,G,B available), High light point warning, Shadow point warning. |
| Rotation | Yes |
| Erase / Protect / Copy Function |
| Erase modes | Single, All, Selected |
| Image protect mode | Single, Selected |
| Copy mode | Single, All, Selected |
| Recording Formats |
| RAW | 12 bit |
| RAW & JPEG | Parallel recording |
| JPEG | Yes |
| JPEG compression | 1/2.7, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12 SHQ 1/2.7, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12 HQ 1/2.7, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12 SQ |
| Image Size |
| RAW | 3648 x 2736 / 11 MB / frame |
| Large | 3648 x 2736 Super Fine / 6.8 MB / frame
3648 x 2736 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 4.7 MB / frame
3648 x 2736 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 2.2 MB / frame
3648 x 2736 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 1.5 MB / frame |
| Middle | 3200 x 2400 Super Fine / 5.3 MB / frame
3200 x 2400 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 3.7 MB / frame
3200 x 2400 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 1.7 MB / frame
3200 x 2400 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 1.1 MB / frame
2560 x 1920 Super Fine / 3.6 MB / frame
2560 x 1920 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 2.2 MB / frame
2560 x 1920 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 1.1 MB / frame
2560 x 1920 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.7 MB / frame |
| Small | 1600 x 1200 Super Fine / 1.3 MB / frame
1600 x 1200 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.8 MB / frame
1600 x 1200 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.5 MB / frame
1600 x 1200 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.3 MB / frame
1280 x 960 Super Fine / 0.8 MB / frame
1280 x 960 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.5 MB / frame
1280 x 960 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.3 MB / frame
1280 x 960 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.2 MB / frame
1024 x 768 Super Fine / 0.5 MB / frame
1024 x 768 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.4 MB / frame
1024 x 768 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.2 MB / frame
1024 x 768 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.1 MB / frame
640 x 480 Super Fine / 0.2 MB / frame
640 x 480 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.2 MB / frame
640 x 480 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.1 MB / frame
640 x 480 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.1 MB / frame |
| Still Image Recording |
| EXIF | 2.2 |
| PIM | III |
| DPOF | Yes |
| DCF | Yes |
| Image Editing |
| RAW data edit | Yes |
| Shadow Adjustment Technology | Yes |
| Trimming | Yes |
| Red-eye reduction | Yes |
| Black & White | Yes |
| Sepia | Yes |
| Correction of saturation | Yes |
| Resize | Yes |
| Menu |
| Menu languages in camera | English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Czech, Dutch, Danish, Polish |
| Menu languages by download | Additional one language from 15 further languages by download via the internet. |
| Customisation Options |
| Fn Button | Off, one-touch WB, test picture, preview, Live View, AF home setting, MF, record format, exposure mode, My Mode |
| Drive button | Drive, AF target selection, AF mode, WB mode, Metering mode, ISO setting |
| My Mode | 2 settings available |
| Custom preset options | 2 |
| Power Supply |
| Battery | BLM-1 Li-Ion battery (included) |
| Battery life | Approx. 650 shots with BLM-1 under CIPA testing standard. |
| Sleep mode | 1, 3, 5, 10 min. and off selectable. |
| Environment |
| Temperature | 0 - 40 °C / -20 - 60 °C |
| Humidity | 30 - 90 % / 10 - 90 % |
| Size |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 136 x 91.5 x 68 mm |
| Weight | 475 g (body only) |
| Interface |
| Media | Dual slot for CompactFlash card (Type I and II), Microdrive and xD picture card |
| USB 2.0 High Speed | Yes |
| Combined V & USB output | Yes NTSC or PAL selectable |
| Infrared | Yes |
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