Olympus has announced an upgrade to the E-510, which has been their biggest seller in the consumer DSLR space. Called the E-520, the new model adds processing improvements, more effective in-body Image Stabilization that works with any lens, and what Olympus describes as on-LCD AutoFocus combined with Face Detection. These appear to be the same updates that recently made their way to the smaller E-420, while keeping and improving the "IS with any lens" that was a stand-out feature of the E-510.
Olympus describes the improved Live View technology as "advanced autofocus Live View enables photographers to compose their images and bring them into sharp focus on the HyperCrystal II LCD - just like a point-and-shoot camera." The Press announcement does not provide details on the new Live View, but the E-420 (and now the E-520) adds Contrast Detection AF to the Phase-Detection AF used in the last generation E-410 and E-510. This is the same technology used by Panasonic in their swing-tilt-swivel screen Lumix L10. Panasonic also combines the Contrast-detect AF with Face Detection as was announced on the E-520.
As the E-510 was an E-410 with a more robust grip and the addition of in-camera Image Stabilization, so the E-520 is an E-420 with the bigger hand grip and added IS. This keeps the E-520 body small and the weight is 475g (16.8oz) compared to the 380g (13.4oz) of the E-420. What was not so very clear when the E-420 was introduced were the significant changes in Live View and AF that came with the new addition of Contrast-Detect AF.
The Live-MOS sensor in E-420 and now the E-520 provides AF on the LCD screen with a push of the shutter-release halfway - without the LCD blackout that is necessary when a mirror-flip is required. We have also received confirmation that the sensor provides 11-point multiple AF with the contrast detection system. The Focusing specifications provide a clearer picture of the significant changes to the AF capabilities in Live View mode.
AF system | TTL phase difference detection system, contrast detection system (with 25mm f2.8, 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, 40-150mm f4.0-5.6) |
Focus mode | Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF)* / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF |
Focusing point | 3-point multiple AF with the phase difference detection system (Auto, selectable in option) |
Not long ago, Olympus surprised users with firmware updates to their 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, 40-150mm f4-5.6, and new 25mm f2.8 pancake lens that supported Contrast-Detect AF on the Panasonic Lumix L10. That seemed a strange firmware update at the time, but now that the new E-420 and E-520 feature the same Contrast-Detect AF as the L10 it is now making some sense. We have a Panasonic L10 in-house and the new 11-point Contrast-Detect AF combined with Face Detect is a real joy to use. It is not as fast or seamless as the Sony A350 Live View, but the LCD screen is virtually a 100% view with fewer compromises. Significantly, the E-420/E-520/L10 Live View also supports 7X/10X magnification in Live view mode to assist in precise focusing. That is a feature not available on the competing Sony A350/A300. Live View also supports the MF/S-AF mode which allows manual focus touch up after AF on the LCD screen.
Perhaps Olympus did not want to emphasize the fact that their E-520 and E-420 featured the same Dual Live View system as the Panasonic L10, as you really have to dig a bit to figure out the systems are likely the same. However, the L10 has been well-received for its features, if not its cost, and Olympus users will be happy to know 11-point Contrast-Detect AF is available in Live View on the $599 E-520 - even if the Phase-Detect AF system remains 3-pont.
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