[shuttertalk]

In time for PMA, Olympus announced new models of their digital SLRs today - the E-410 and E-510. These replace the E-400 and E-500 bodies, with some new interesting features:

Olympus Imaging Corporation announced today that the company will be releasing the new E-410 digital SLR camera at the end of April 2007. The world's smallest, slimmest and lightest* interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera, the E-410 incorporates all the core features of Olympus E-System cameras, including the "Dedicated Digital Design," "Dust Reduction" and "Live View" functions.

Key features:
* 10-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor
* Dust Reduction System
* Full Time Live View HyperCrystal LCD
* 2.5-inch LCD display with approximately 230,000 pixels
* TruePic III Image Processor
* Body Estimated Street Price: $699

Now for the E-510:

Olympus Imaging Corporation (President Masaharu Okubo) announced today that release of the E-510, a digital SLR camera featuring a stabilizer unit to prevent blurring caused by hand shake and based on the E-System concept of offering the "Dedicated Digital Design," "Dust Reduction" and " Live View" functions on all models, is scheduled for July 2007.

Key features:
* 10-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor
* Mechanical Image Stabilization
* Dust Reduction System
* Full Time Live View HyperCrystal LCD
* 2.5-inch LCD display with approximately 230,000 pixels
* TruePic III Image Processor
* Body Estimated Street Price: $799

As far as I can tell, the main differences between the two models is the image stabilisation feature on the E-510, and the size of the bodies: the E-410 is measures 5.1 inches (129.5mm) by 3.58 inches (91mm) and 2.1 inches (53mm), excluding protrusions, and weighing 13.4 ounces (380 grams); while the E-510 weighs in at 5.35 inches (136mm) by 3.61 inches (91.7mm) and 2.2 inches (56mm), excluding protrusions, and weighing 16.2 ounces (460 grams) body only.

Along with these, Olympus also announced some new lenses:

* ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm (24-120mm) F2.8-4.0 SWD
* ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50-200mm (100-400mm) F2.8-3.5 SWD
* ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-35mm (28-70mm)F2.0 SWD
* ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm (140-600mm) F4.0-5.6
* ZUIKO DIGITAL 2.0x Teleconverter EC-20

Yummy!

[EnglishBob]

That's a lot of camera for the Price. I hope Olympus can push into the market share of Canon and Nikon.

[matthew]

As far as I can tell, the main differences between the two models is the image stabilisation feature on the E-510, and the size of the bodies: the E-410 is measures 5.1 inches (129.5mm) by 3.58 inches (91mm) and 2.1 inches (53mm), excluding protrusions, and weighing 13.4 ounces (380 grams); while the E-510 weighs in at 5.35 inches (136mm) by 3.61 inches (91.7mm) and 2.2 inches (56mm), excluding protrusions, and weighing 16.2 ounces (460 grams) body only.

Along with these, Olympus also announced some new lenses:

* ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm (24-120mm) F2.8-4.0 SWD
* ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50-200mm (100-400mm) F2.8-3.5 SWD
* ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-35mm (28-70mm)F2.0 SWD
* ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm (140-600mm) F4.0-5.6
* ZUIKO DIGITAL 2.0x Teleconverter EC-20

You're right about the differences between the cameras, it sounds like it's going to be a question of the size and feel to distinguish between the two bodies, with the sole exception of the IS. Sort of like the K100D and K110D?

The third new DSLR, their pro body to replace my beloved E-1, is supposed to be announced this summer. As nice as these ones are, the E-Pro is what I'm waiting for. They're almost certainly not going to rival the pro Canons and Nikon, but if I could get the E-510 in the E-1's body at a good price, I'd be pretty happy.

The really big deal is the lenses -- some of these have been expected for some time, others were not. I'm a little burned by the upgraded 50-200, since I bought the original version about a month ago.

With the announcement of the long, long, long awaited 14-35 f/2, the Pro / Silver Ring / Top Grade lens lineup looks complete. That gives a constant 28-200mm equivalents covered at a constant f/2, faster than any other zoom lenses. Add in-body IS and high-iso performance becomes irrelevant. There's also the 150 f/2 (300mm equivalent), 90-250 (=180-500mm) constant f/2.8, and 300 (600) f2.8, and my favourite 7-14 f/4, and there's not much this system can't do. Yup, none of them are cheap, but even their cheap lenses are pretty good.

The excuse to buy an f/2 zoom is almost enough reason to shoot a wedding. Almost.

[shuttertalk]

I'm glad that Olympus (and also Pentax, and maybe Sony) are putting a lot of effort into their system and ensuring that their technology is toward the cutting edge. There's nothing better than competition to keep the Canons and Nikons honest (and improving).

[Wedding Shooter]

Those lenses sound pretty sweet Matt. Good to see some healthy competition.

[shuttertalk]

Looks like your ship has come in Matthew.. (codename P-1)
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0703/070305...ctures.asp

[matthew]

I was talking to my three fellow Olympus users in class tonight (4 out of 14 people), and all of us are waiting to see what the "P-1" is before making any major decisions. The weatherproofing is going to be a serious issue for three of us, so hopefully the on-boad flash doesn't reduce its environmental protections. People with the E-1 seem pretty confident in the weatherproofing, far more than Canon or Nikon owners -- maybe because the E-1 is cheaper, but somehow I'd expect the reverse to be true.