Olympus debuts E-520 dSLR
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.
On Sale Now: $369.88 - $399.99
View the latest prices for Olympus Evolt E-520 (body only)
On Sale Now: $399.99 - $499.99
View the latest prices for Olympus Evolt E-520 (with 14-42mm lens)
Senior Editor Lori Grunin has been covering digital imaging for two decades, but her memory's kind of sketchy on the details. You can hear about it every week on Indecent Exposure, the podcast she co-hosts with Matt Fitzgerald. 
