Olympus debuts E-Series digital SLR range

By Zennith Geisler on 06 March 2007

At a global announcement yesterday afternoon, Olympus announced its E-Series digital SLR range. Consisting of three new models, the focus was on the E-410 -- a dSLR aimed at "everyday" users.

Touted as the world's smallest digital SLR, the E-410 is slimmer (91mm by 129.5mm by 53mm) and lighter (460 grams) than any other dSLR currently on the market. Its form factor is one of the E-410's top selling points, with most of its feature set in line with the offerings already available from Canon and Sony.

The other stand-out feature of this 10-megapixel shooter is Live View. This function, not often seen on a digital SLR, allows the 2.5-inch LCD to be used for previewing shots in the same way as with compact cameras. Fujifilm's upcoming FinePix S5 Pro, debuting at the annual PMA show later this week, also features Live View.

We also like the dual card slots that support both Compact Flash memory cards as well as Olympus' own xD-Picture Card.

The E-510 shares the same feature set as the E-410, set apart by its inclusion of sensor-shift image stabilisation. Bigger and heavier than its sibling, it is still smaller than competing entry-level models.

A third model was hinted at but details are being kept under wraps for now, with the company not saying much more than it will be a replacement for the pro-oriented Olympus E-1 and that it's expected to be released in the second half of the year. Online sources have posted "mock-up" images of the unreleased model, reportedly codenamed "P-1".

Model name

In a nutshell

Olympus E-410
Click for more images

Launched as the world's smallest digital SLR, the entry-level Olympus E-410 incorporates a 10-megapixel Live MOS sensor in a package smaller than many prosumer cameras.

10 megapixels
2.5-inch wide-angle HyperCrystal LCD
Live View function
Dual memory card slots (supports Compact Flash and xD-Picture Card)
Dust reduction technology
91mm x 129.5mm x 53mm (H x W x D)
375 grams

Price:	AU$1299 with ED 14-42mm lens
	AU$1599 with ED 14-42mm and ED 40-180mm lenses

Availability: May 2006

Olympus E-510
Click for more images

Big brother to the E-410, the Olympus E-510 offers the same 10-megapixel resolution and Live MOS sensor, but is slightly larger and adds sensor-shift image stabilisation.

10 megapixels
2.5-inch wide-angle HyperCrystal LCD
Live View function
Dual memory card slots (supports Compact Flash and xD-Picture Card)
Dust reduction technology
Sensor-shift image stabilisation
91.5mm x 136mm x 68mm (H x W x D)
460 grams

Price:	AU$1499 with ED 14-42mm lens
	AU$1799 with ED 14-42mm and ED 40-180mm lenses

Availability: June 2007

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