[Summerleft]

Thinking of one of these as a second body to go with my aging E300

seems to be a lot about for sale 4-5 months after purchase

does anyone know something I don't?

[JMitchell]

This might help if you haven't read it:

Cons

• Dynamic Range less than competition (highlights by about three quarters of a stop; 0.7 EV)
• Serious highlight clipping on bright days unless you reduce exposure
• Small viewfinder (difficult to see fine detail, difficult to check focus, difficult to use with glasses)
• Live View usefulness countered by LCD which doesn't tilt, not bright enough outdoors
• Long, unstructured menus make finding some less common settings frustrating
• Live histogram and preview brightness inaccurate if you use Live Preview Boost.
• Best results require adjustment of Noise Filter and Sharpness settings
• Visibly noisier results than most competitors above ISO 400
• Slower than average startup due to the SSWF (should be at power-off / intervals)
• No delete / cancel option during record review (immediately after shutter release)
• Auto focus provides just three focus points, although AF performance good
• Focus-by-wire kit lens means no focus distance indication, lack of precision and slight lag
• Flash must be raised for AF assist

But overall, especially considering the excellent pricing, extensive feature set, effective image stabilization and superb design/construction/handling, the E-510 is an impressive and hugely rewarding camera in use. The results from the kit lens are some of the best we've ever seen, the SSWF dust reduction system is the most effective on the market and the whole package shows that Olympus understands the needs of the photographer as well as - if not better than - any of its major competitors. If it had a better sensor (less noise and better dynamic range) the E-510 would be a strong candidate for category winner; as it is you'll need to decide if the slight compromises the sensor demands are going to affect the type of pictures you take.

[Lew]

http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/oly-e/e510 has a lengthy review. I have one, but don't consider myself experienced enough to offer a qualified opinion. With adjustments to sharpness and noise reduction, jpegs from the camera can be very good. Highlight clipping can be an issue. Shooting RAW handles most of the issues. That being said, I like it quite a bit.

[Lew]

If you have trouble getting to the review, try this link
wrotniak.net: Olympus E-510, a Technical Review

[Summerleft]

Thanks for those, I know Olympus is a funny one as not many have them

Feel free to recommend any other models, as long as I can interchange my Lenses between it and the E300 Im happy

[robbo]

Summerleft,

I have the E-500 (pre preview LCD). This is my first dSLR and have nothing but my old Minolta 35 MM to compare it to. I am basing my review on the fact that with very little understanding of digital photography at the outset, I found it very easy to figure out and take advatage of its features. There are many things I have yet to take advantage of to date. I have heard nothing but glowing remarks about the quality of Olym kit lenses (mine came with thte two in my profile). The after market brands are starting to make more 4/3 lenses but all the reviews say that the Olym lense is the way to go for the quality. I'm sure there must be a shop still sitting on a kit or two since I just bought mine a year ago. Hope this is of some us and if you like, I can pick one up and hold it until you move to Canada and I can drop it off (I believe you were the one looking to move to Canada or NZ). Best of luck in your search.

[Summerleft]

Thanks, I have seen an E500 on ebay, only thing is thats its 8mpx and I fancied a 10mpx specially as a lot of stock agencies seem to be veering towards 10mpx minimums,

Hoping to go to focus again tomorrow, take 2 so will have a look at whts on offer.

[robbo]

Originally Posted by Summerleft

Thanks, I have seen an E500 on ebay, only thing is thats its 8mpx and I fancied a 10mpx specially as a lot of stock agencies seem to be veering towards 10mpx minimums,

Hoping to go to focus again tomorrow, take 2 so will have a look at whts on offer.

I didn't know that about agencies. So as my skill level increases I should put a new body in my growth plan if I hope to go to the next level?! Well that just put the $7,000 300mm lense out of reach a little longer! Kidding. I just want a better flash at this point! Best of luck in your search.

[Summerleft]

LOL I know that feeling, I got myself as good as I could without a flash because of the expense and now I have one Ive moved onto something else I need! lol

[Lew]

I don't know if it will help. After all they're not much, but my later picture posts of orchids, butterflies, trains, and zoo are from the E510 with a 14-42, 40-150, and 70-300 lenses. Before that I had a Canon S3 for about eight months. I got the Olympus for Christmas and that's the sum of my experience. I'm sure you would do better. If you haven't already made your puchase, hopefully this will be of aid.

[polka]

I think Olympus have got a lot of new models on the horizon, perhaps people wanting to upgrade are selling their existing kit quickly