Olympus E-520 review on dpreview (1 Viewer)

There is now a review of the Olympus E-520 on the dpreview site:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/OlympusE520/

They award it a 'Highly Recommended (just)' and make the usual criticisms of the small viewfinder, limited dynamic range and poor high ISO performance. I think Olympus will have to address the shortcomings of the four-thirds sensor in the next series of models before they get completely obliterated by the competition.

Ron

Yeah, Ron, but I think that the smaller sensor is one of its biggest benefits. The review doesn't even discuss the very reasons I am going to buy the E-520 - the smaller lenses and higher "crop-factor" magnification you get with them. Have you seen the size and price (esp with stabilization) of a 600mm equivalent lens for the other manufacturers' DSLRs? This is a BIG advantage of the Olympus sensor and I, for one, am willing to trade the somewhat better high-ISO noise performance and dynamic range for a smaller and less expensive setup.

Some reviewers have been putting down Olympus since I bought my first one in 1966 (which is still working). 20 odd bought since then and they are still viewed with suspicion.

True they are different - they do some things better than other makes and some not as well. At the end of the day I know how to use them and have produced a lot of photos that have pleased many others.

Putting it bluntly - if they stop producing a useable camera I will switch - as I did during the film auto-focus era (still keeping the film OMs as they are still the best) but at the moment I have no problems with the slrs and if they produced a replica Canon or Nikon who would buy it?

As with bins - use what works for you and wait with the rest of us to see what the just announced 'mini' 4/3 system will bring us.

N.B. I do buy and use other makes but they all generally drop into disuse in case you think this is blind faith. My favourite compact is a Canon IXUS 80.

I think that one could easily argue that Olympus is on the right track when they try to differentiate themselves from Nikon/Canon with products that can capture certain niche markets. Manufacturers like Pentax might have a harder row to hoe, going head-to-head with the big boys.

I will buy this gear: Oly E-520 plus 70-300 mm lens. Probably in november this year.

Cristian