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The Olympus E-510 uses a fixed eye-level pentamirror with a 95% field of view. The E510’s LCD displays is a high resolution 2.5″ wide-view LCD with a 230,000 pixel resolution. As with the previous E-330 model, the E-510 allows images to be framed on the LCD display. Where the E-330 could do this in two different ways (each with certain limitations), the E-510’s live view function comes solely courtesy of its ten megapixel Live MOS image sensor. This does mean that autofocusing isn’t possible without first dropping the reflex mirror, briefly interrupting the live view for the duration of the autofocus process. Still, that small limitation aside, Olympus has certainly found many fans of the ability to have a live LCD preview comparable to those found on compact cameras. The Olympus EVOLT E510 stores images either on xD-Picture cards, or on CompactFlash cards (Type-I or Type-II, inclusive of Microdrives)..

The EVOLT E-510 couples its ten effective megapixel N-MOS image sensor with the same Four Thirds lens mount used in previous E-series digital SLRs, and compatible with lenses from all Four Thirds manufacturers. The image sensor is mounted on a platter allowing movement in two directions, so as to mechanically correct for camera shake in longer exposures. Other features include a 49-segment iESP metering system, plus center-weighted average, spot, and two further spot metering modes called “Highlight Spot” and “Shadow Spot”. These latter two modes basically bias the camera’s metering system for predominantly bright or dark subjects, which would otherwise be incorrectly exposed since spot metering systems aim to expose the metered area as 18% grey.

As you’d expect, the E-510 retains Olympus’ unique Supersonic Wave Filter, which couples a high-frequency vibration of the imager to remove dust from its surface, plus a range of seals to stop movement of dust through the camera body. The E-510 also includes the latest iteration of Olympus’ TruePic image processor. Dubbed TruePic III, the new processor is said to offer a one stop reduction in image noise over past variants at higher ISO sensitivities, and today’s new EVOLTs are the first cameras to include the technology. Other benefits of TruePic III are said to include faster connectivity, faster flash card write speeds, faster startup, and improved image quality (detail, color accuracy, and color transitions).

The Olympus EVOLT E-510 will ship in June 2007, with pricing set at $799 body-only - a $100 premium over its sibling the E-410, which seems fair for a camera offering in-body stabilization on all lenses. A kit including an ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital zoom lens will cost $899, while a second kit including the same lens plus an ED 40-150mm f4.0/5.6 Zuiko Digital zoom lens will hit the market priced at $999 - impressively arriving at just under the magic $1000 point. Both lenses are new releases, and photos of each can be found in the press release at the end of this item.