IS The E510 Competitive With Today's Cams?

Just wondering. Looking like it's more serious, with respect to selling my 2 Lens 510 kit, after little use. Selling in favor of a 10MP high end compact, in fact.

Doesn't seem worth it for me to buy a brighter lens, then still have the same MP as a higher end compact, possibly comparable performance, but still less portability.

What exactly do you shoot? There's still a lot you can do with the E-510 that you can't really accomplish with a compact. With regards to a brighter lens, were you looking for a zoom or a prime?
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Everything, and on top of that, a high end compact could easily be brought into dark concerts, while SLRs may not.

I'm just wondering if I'll have much use for the 510 anymore after that point, or miss it in any way. I'll more likely use the compact all the time than the 510...

snake_b said:

Doesn't seem worth it for me to buy a brighter lens, then still have the same MP as a higher end compact, possibly comparable performance, but still less portability.

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I've seen you around this forum for some time, so I know you're not an absolute newbie... yet I'll say it anyway: just because they have the same megapixel count doesn't mean they produce equivalent images.

Compacts have come a long way, though. If you heavily value portability, they're the way to go. A DSLR offers more versatility and control than most compacts do (although some advanced compacts are close to DSLRs in control options), and better overall image quality. But if you don't need or aren't making use of the benefits of a DSLR, it's a waste, particularly if the size is holding you back from using it.

God, I never said that they have the same quality per MP count. It's for sizing. Next, the second point is what I will agree with- lots of tech has come a long way since the 510 was developed, small sensor or large.

Velocity of Sound said:

snake_b said:

Doesn't seem worth it for me to buy a brighter lens, then still have the same MP as a higher end compact, possibly comparable performance, but still less portability.

Click to expand...

I've seen you around this forum for some time, so I know you're not an absolute newbie... yet I'll say it anyway: just because they have the same megapixel count doesn't mean they produce equivalent images.

Compacts have come a long way, though. If you heavily value portability, they're the way to go. A DSLR offers more versatility and control than most compacts do (although some advanced compacts are close to DSLRs in control options), and better overall image quality. But if you don't need or aren't making use of the benefits of a DSLR, it's a waste, particularly if the size is holding you back from using it.

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Two cameras for two roles. If portability is most important, a compact or better still, a µ4/3 body, EVF and pancake lens will give you the form factor while matching image quality. Even the best compacts won't match the 510 for detail, although at this point they can beat the 510 WRT to highlight clipping and high-ISO noise. An E-PL1 (very cheap right now) or E-PL2 will exceed the 510 in most areas.

OTOH, you could get the 25 pancake, which makes the 510 pretty darn small. the 510, kept within its performance boundaries, remains an excellent camera that produces very crisp images and very good colors. I've kept mine for this reason.

Cheers,

Rick

snake_b said:

Just wondering. Looking like it's more serious, with respect to selling my 2 Lens 510 kit, after little use. Selling in favor of a 10MP high end compact, in fact.

Doesn't seem worth it for me to buy a brighter lens, then still have the same MP as a higher end compact, possibly comparable performance, but still less portability.

Click to expand...

snake_b said:

Just wondering. Looking like it's more serious, with respect to selling my 2 Lens 510 kit, after little use. Selling in favor of a 10MP high end compact, in fact.

Doesn't seem worth it for me to buy a brighter lens, then still have the same MP as a higher end compact, possibly comparable performance, but still less portability.

Click to expand...

Why not keep it? E510 and 2 lens kits only fetch $200-$250 in my neck of the woods.
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In Germany, I've seen wildly ranging pricing, from the mid 200 euro range to mid 400. I don't get it.

Keeping it would be ok, but I don't think it would be anything but redundant. I don't like having too many of one thing, aside from watches, tools, and spare parts.

That amount would finance a high end compact, which I would most certainly use, not store in a cabinet.

I have a friend with a D300 who is very jealous of my results with my E-510. This doesn't mean that the E-510 is a better camera than the D300; what it means is that you can take pictures with a '510 that are very good.

If you're doing something that the E-510 can handle, its output is very good indeed.

It won't autofocus in low light or handle extreme dynamic range at high ISO. But under many conditions it will spit out very nice images indeed.

snake_b said:

God, I never said that they have the same quality per MP count. It's for sizing. Next, the second point is what I will agree with- lots of tech has come a long way since the 510 was developed, small sensor or large.

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That means absolutely squat. If you've been watching, you'll remember that I have sold my E510 for an E1, and have absolutely no regrets. The older technology can certainly keep up with the newer stuff in many respects.

Personally, I have both too. The E1 I take out when I just want to go out for a walk, and take pictures, or where I might be expected to be wielding a camera. Basically anytime I go out with taking photos as my intention.

For more discrete events, or when I just want something to bung in a pocket, I have an old cheap compact (a 7.1MP Canon A470 as it happens). That does OK for parties, or just anytime to have a camera to hand. Basically anytime I am out doing other activities, but might want a few snaps.

The vast majority of my shots are with the DSLR though.

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Andy Hewitt

I have had my 510 for almost 4 yrs, just bought the 12-60. It is a very capable camera, and yes, has its limitations, but..









both shot using the 50-200 MkI. For me, I have learned to use it for me..
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Lawrence "Uncle LJ" Sauter
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the 510 is much much better than any compact camera!

"Doesn't seem worth it for me to buy a brighter lens, then still have the same MP as a higher end compact."

If you think that 10MP in a compact is the same as 10MP in an E-510, you don't understand the most basic concept of the small sensor versus the large sensor.

If you believe 10mp is the same on both kinds of cameras, then perhaps you would be wise to choose a compact. DSLRs are for photo enthusiasts and you seem to be more of a casual snapshooter.

When i started photography in dec 2010 i bought an FZ40 for 450.00 CAD and wasnt very happy with the IQ ,so i bougt an E-510, E520, 2x14-42, 35mm macro,40-150, 70-300 and extra cards an uv filters for under 900.00CAD. The FZ40 is convient but just not the same as using a DLSR..

Gidday Snake

snake_b said:

Just wondering. Looking like it's more serious, with respect to selling my 2 Lens 510 kit, after little use. Selling in favor of a 10MP high end compact, in fact.

Doesn't seem worth it for me to buy a brighter lens, then still have the same MP as a higher end compact, possibly comparable performance, but still less portability.

Click to expand...

I agree with Rick (skeeter). When I bought my E-30, I bought the f2.8/25 pancake just so my E-510 wouldn't feel neglected ... LOL!

I cannot carry my full E-30 kit very far or very fast (5.6 kgs ... ), but I can carry my E-510 kit (25, 14~42, 40~150 MkII) everywhere (1.4 kgs ... ). Some of the best images I have ever taken have been with my E-510 and SG lenses (and also with my E-1, E-30 ... ). With the pancake on it, it is very small, and fits in all my casual coat pockets, and in the jacket pocket of one of my suits ... It will fit in a belt bag that my OM-1 + f1.8/50 will not fit in.

I have printed some of the shots I have taken with this camera and SG lenses at 17 x 22 inches, and they are superb.

While all (most ... ) of the modern crop of P&S cameras will happily print beautifully at A4 size, don't go looking for any detail at all in the distance; it just won't be there. It is there with even my E-1 ... I have yet to see any that would print well at A2 size. I can print at A2 size from my E-1, and they look as sharp as shots taken with my E-510 or E-30, until I get out my 5x loupe or 4x magnifying glass, then I can see that they are slightly softer. BTW, I have 20/10 vision with my glasses on ...

Here is my infamous red Ford headlight that I have used extensively as a test image, printing crops at the equivalent of A0+ size. EXIF data in the image, but taken with my E-510 and pancake outside the local fish and chip shop ...



So think carefully about what you want to use your camera/s for, and perhaps consider something really flexible and small in a P&S to complement your existing dSLR kit.

Some possible candidates:

• Olympus Tough series with as low a MP count as you can get (the real benefit of these is that they are almost indestructible, and water proof; but they don't have the best optics out there - terrific for snapshots under all conditions. Can't be worse than my CEOoDO's mobile phone! I can enlarge images from the Nokia N95 to A4 and they are perfectly presentable at that size ... )?
• XZ-1?
• Canon G12?
• One of the excellent Panasonics?

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John King said:

While all (most ... ) of the modern crop of P&S cameras will happily print beautifully at A4 size, don't go looking for any detail at all in the distance; it just won't be there.

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In good light I can not see which landscape images are more detailed, from D300 or from years old compacts. The difference comes when things start moving or when the light gets bad.

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- sergey

Do you read every post in a short thread, or do you just post right off the cuff without reading through the rest of it to sound intelligent?

It's obvious about the small sensor vs. large sensor issue. However, technology has come very far since the 510 came out, no matter what the sensor size is. I want to know if we've crossed over. Even though I rarely use the 510, I don't want to have the remorse, but also, I want to sell while it still has some value. Especially since I plan to replace it with something along the lines of a K5, or some different technology that has certainly surpassed it many times over and priced moderately.

Brent Gair said:

"Doesn't seem worth it for me to buy a brighter lens, then still have the same MP as a higher end compact."

If you think that 10MP in a compact is the same as 10MP in an E-510, you don't understand the most basic concept of the small sensor versus the large sensor.

If you believe 10mp is the same on both kinds of cameras, then perhaps you would be wise to choose a compact. DSLRs are for photo enthusiasts and you seem to be more of a casual snapshooter.

Click to expand...

I have sold many shots from my (old) E-510 and many are currently licensed through Getty, it's a more than competent camera. You can see my E-510 shots here if you're interested:

http://www.julian-kaesler.com/p647573619

All the best with your decision.

Jules

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http://www.jkaesler.zenfolio.com

Well, those are quite nice. One of the factors is that I won't be carrying it around all the time, or it won't be handy, and low light concerts favor the high end compact. Same for tours around Europe. SLRs are no longer favored (and forbidden in many places) and to some extent, the 510 is so-so for low light photography, such as these smoky, dark concerts. I would love to throw on a 14-54 f2.8, but I have to wonder about diminishing returns at this point and if it will produce better low light photos. Tried to take some night photos of Dresden last weekend and they came up utterly horrible, and worse than my Samsung compact. Changed all the settings I could, but the colors were imbalanced, bright spots blown, and lots of noise. The colors and blown stuff can be fixed to some extent, but noise, even at low ISO and slow shutter speeds, is not optimal.

snake_b said:

Well, those are quite nice. One of the factors is that I won't be carrying it around all the time, or it won't be handy, and low light concerts favor the high end compact. Same for tours around Europe. SLRs are no longer favored (and forbidden in many places) and to some extent, the 510 is so-so for low light photography, such as these smoky, dark concerts. I would love to throw on a 14-54 f2.8, but I have to wonder about diminishing returns at this point and if it will produce better low light photos. Tried to take some night photos of Dresden last weekend and they came up utterly horrible, and worse than my Samsung compact. Changed all the settings I could, but the colors were imbalanced, bright spots blown, and lots of noise. The colors and blown stuff can be fixed to some extent, but noise, even at low ISO and slow shutter speeds, is not optimal.

Click to expand...

I can only guess you either have a faulty camera or have no idea of what you are talking about. I've just had some 8x10 prints taken at ISO 400 done and there is not a hint of noise evident anywhere, including the shadows. I've also taken wedding shots at ISO 800 which have been excellent. I think you are better off with a point and shoot.

It is not a high ISO camera but it certainly gives great results up to ISO 800 and you can get decent ISO 1600 shots with careful exposure and noise reduction software.

If you use this camera with the ZD50mm F2 you can certainly shoot in pretty low light no problem.

I have also never had any colour issues with mine. Dynamic range is lower but that is well known and not an issue for many shots. If there is one Olympus that produces nice clean low ISO files it is definitely this one.
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