Amazon.com's Price: Too low to display as of 11/21/2009 12:06 EST
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Batteries Included: 1
Battery Description: 1 Lithium-Ion
Binding: Electronics
Brand: Olympus
Display Size: 2.7 inches
EAN: 0050332163973
Floppy Disk Drive Description: None
Has Red Eye Reduction: 1
Item Dimensions: 400400225400
Label: Olympus
Manufacturer: Olympus
Maximum Focal Length: 42 millimeters
Maximum Resolution: 10 MP
Minimum Focal Length: 14 millimeters
Model: E520 14-42
MPN: E520 14-42
Optical Zoom: 3 x
Publisher: Olympus
Studio: Olympus
Features:- 10-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
- Lightweight ergonomic design; kit includes 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko lens
- Enhanced in-body Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive technology
- Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment technologies; Perfect Shot Preview
- Compatible with CompactFlash Type I and II, Microdrives, and xD-Picture Cards (not included)
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
The Olympus E-520 delivers brilliant results thanks to advanced technologies that produce clear, sharp images. The E-520's industry-leading Image Stabilization technology, which is built into the camera body, compensates for movement so you can capture blur-free shots with any lens - even at slow shutter speeds. Autofocus Live View brings subjects into sharp focus; it is the perfect tool for macro, portrait or even landscape shooting. This camera was built to produce amazing results for photo hobbyists and serious digital photographers alike.This product bundles with ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 lens.This 3x standard zoom lens is the smallest and lightest in its class and features a closest focusing distance of only 25cm. The ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and two aspherical lens elements correct aberrations without increasing lens dimensions. The circular aperture diaphragm enables beautiful defocusing - one of the big advantages of this lens. Excellent mobility is assured by a weight of less than 190 grams.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
I purchased the Olympus E-520 about 6 months ago after researching cameras for about 3 months. I looked at the Pentax K200D, Canon XSI, Nikon D40, Nikon D40x, Nikon D60, Sony Alpha 300 as well as the Olympus E-420 and the Olympus E-510.
I read all sorts of detailed reviews ([...] has some of the best ones), watched video reviews and product demonstrations on YouTube, spoke to friends and family that owned some of the cameras mentioned above and most importanty, I went to camera stores and actually held (and worked with) the cameras in my hands.
This is my first DSLR camera and compared to the competition, I'm very happy with my selection. I wound up buying the camera body with the 2 kit lenses. Originally I planned to only buy the body and then either the 14-54mm or 12-60mm higher end Olympus lenses but I decided that having two (lower quality) lenses would give me a nice range to work with as I learn different techniques. Also I like to take pictures outdoors and am very happy with the pictures I've taken so far. This is not to say that I haven't taken great pictures at night or indoors, I have and I will say that you can too but you have to learn how to use the camera. I took loads of horrible pictures at first, lucky for me, my dad (who owns the Sony Alpha 300 and has been taking beautiful photos with SLRs for years) helped me to understand that most of my bad pictures were my fault and not the camera.
I'd also like to recommend a book or series of books, "The Digital Photography Book," written by Scott Kelby. In this series Scott tells you exactly how to acheive a various effect without really explaining the theory behind it. He will say something like if you want to get that silky warerfall or stream effect this is what you need to do: Switch your camera to Shutter priority mode, an set the shutter speed to 1 or 2 seconds. To avoid getting a picture that is blown out (because of all the light your slow shutter speed is letting in) it is best to shoot around sunrise or around sunset. Since the shutter is open for 1 or 2 seconds use a tripod. Since the water is moving it will be blurry and the surrounding area will be sharp.
Books like the one mentioned above will help you to realize that there is a lot you can do with your camera if you only take the time to learn.
I read all of these Amazon reviews months ago and really like how people can comment on a someone's review and I recommend that you check out the comments that appear on 1 and 2 star product reviews, sometimes the comments reveal that the user incorrectly reviewed a product and that is helpful to know!
All of the cameras above take good pictures. It's important to feel comfortable navigating the camera menus, you should feel comfortable holding and taking pictures with the camera and you should think about what you'll be using the camera for.
I actually just purchased the Olympus MF-1 OM Lens Adapter ($82 on amazon), which allowed me to buy an old Olympus OM 50mm f 1.8 prime lens. Good glass will help me take better pictures and this adapter helped me to get a good quality lens for a ridiculously cheap price (I got the OM 50mm f 1.8 prime on ebay for $20).
The more I use my E-520, the more I love it. I'm learning so much and appreciating all that Olympus packed into this lovely camera. You can check out to pictures that I submitted in online photo contests ([...]) by clicking on the following link:
[...]
Good luck in your search!
Joe
Rating:  -
I started my DSLR experience with the E-510, while this was a quirky little camera that needed cajoling to perform well, the E-520 is nothing like that. After a year with the E-510, I ended up replacing it with the E-520 and what an improvement this camera is! A lot of quirks that the E-510 had (blown highlights, excessive contrast, bad LCD, underexposed mid-tones in JPEG) had been remedied in the E-520 and to add to that a bunch of newer features had been added as well. The most notable ones (for me) are:
1. Imager AF in live-view with face detection.
2. IS mode 3 for vertical panning.
3. Bigger and brighter and a more accurate LCD.
4. And by far the best addition, remote flash triggering for up to 3 groups!
It's amazing that Olympus could offer so much in a so-called "beginner" level camera and to think Nikon doesn't even offer live-view view! This is one of the biggest reasons for me to stick to Olympus as they don't skimp on features even in lower-level bodies.
I have no hesitation in recommending this camera for the first time DSLR buyer as well as a pro looking for a back up body for the E-3. Although compact, it's very nicely built and has a superior and much better build quality than the E-500 as well as similar Canon offerings.
I had the two kit lenses but sold the 14-42mm lens and kept the 40-150mm lens. I'm simply amazed with this lens as it offers an effective 300mm focal length in the smallest package currently in the market. I took the E-520 along with this lens to a recent U2 concert and the guards didn't even stop me as they couldn't tell what this lens was capable of by looking at its size! I ended up getting some stunning images with this camera and lens combo.
Last, but not the least, I would like to talk about IQ; Olympus has sorted out the tone curve in the E-520 and its MUCH better than the E-510 and allows amazing pictures straight out of the camera. I have no qualms using this camera all the way up to ISO 800, although at ISO 1600 the noise is higher than average and in some cases one will also notice banding in the shadows. I normally switch to B&W for ISO 1600 and that makes all the difference. However, in a pinch you can get some excellent ISO 1600 colour images as well if you're willing to shoot RAW and carefully process. This is about the only "minus" in this camera that I can think of.
Overall, this is an excellent camera and gives an excellent bang for the buck and I highly recommend it!
Rating: -
I have been an Olympus Camera user since I bought my OM-1 over 30 years ago. My first digital camera was the C-3030 camera which provided great use for over 8 years while living aboard my sailboat in the Caribbean. It was a natural choice to move up to the e-520 as I have a large collection of OM lens and wanted to use them on the new DSLR. The camera has a feel very similar to the C3030 in both menu and general feel. After receiving the camera I was really impressed with the quality of the images, both vibrant and great resolution. Although the original OM lens won't give me auto-focus, this has proved to be a minor problem as I am used to the full manual functions of the OM-1. The quality of the pictures using the OM lens has been extraordinary. If you are looking for a camera that gives you a lot of bang for the buck I would highly recommend you consider it.
Rating: -
Just went by the reviews on Amazon and the more expensive model of the same lineage. I am quite pleased with the speed and quality of pictures. Hunts a bit in low light, but the colors in the picture are quite good. Overall, a good buy for the money and an easy picture taker.
Rating: -
I absolutely love the E-520. I have bought five lenses for it so far; my favorite for sharpness is the 50mm f/2 prime lens, but for extra wide, I like the 9-18mm. I have the 70-300mm as well, and it can shoot a bird at 200 feet and put it right in your face.
I am also very impressed with the kit lenses. I do a lot of manual focusing and shooting, and these lenses are sharp... truly unbelievable for the price, and they stand up well against some very expensive glass by other manufacturers. Over the years, I have spent a LOT more money for lenses that turned out to be inferior to these.
Olympus makes some of the top lenses in the world.
The menu on the E-520 was easy for me to understand from the start, but I've been shooting with SLRs for over 40 years. Even though the E-520 is called an "entry level" SLR, it might prove daunting for a beginning photographer. Nonetheless, if you are mildly familiar with f-stops, apertures, shutter speed and film speed (or equivalent), I think you'll find this an easy camera to operate.
I have spent hours at [...] comparing studio photos and resolution charts as shot by various cameras. Olympus measures very well against the big money cameras in the studio shots. In the resolution charts, though, Olympus falls behind. So, if you need the absolute best digital image money can buy and you can afford [...], buy the new Nikon; or, shell out [...] for a Canon Mark II or III. All these cameras will give you better resolution than any Olympus camera.
BUT... Although the price of those cameras is many times higher than your E-520, the quality of their pictures is not much higher. And, by the way, in my opinion the E-520 shoots better pictures than the E-30 or the E-3.
I don't do magazine layouts or commercial photography; however, on occasion, I do like to blow a picture up to 16x20 or larger, and the E-520 gives very satisfying results.
Moreover, Olympus has given me GREAT service. I have had to return two lenses for various reasons. In one case, Olympus shipped me a brand new lens; in the other case, they repaired the lens and had it back to me within the week; no questions, no hassle.
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