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Best selling image-stabilised digital SLR camera series gets even better

The exciting new Olympus E-520 represents a significant performance upgrade with an extensive range of important new hardware and feature improvements, providing the digital SLR photographer with even better imaging quality and wider creative flexibility.

New image sensor chip delivers even better picture quality

A new improved 10 megapixel LiveMos image sensor with an enhanced version of Olympus' renowned Truepic III image engine delivers a significantly improved dynamic range approaching that of the top of the line E-3 professional model with improved colour detail and noise levels.

Faster onboard data processing technology gives the E-520 a 3.5 frames per second shooting capability that's the fastest in its class.

New LiveView autofocus technology for intuitive AF operation

The E-520 features the new high-speed Imager AF (or contrast detect AF) first found in the E-420 model. This ensures that AF operation in LiveView mode is as easy to use as half-pressing the shutter release button.

For the fastidious photographer who wants the ability to use Phase Detect AF in LiveView, this option is available as a menu option.

Do more with Olympus LiveView

As the pioneer of LiveView in digital SLR cameras, Olympus is the leader in digital SLR LiveView technology and the E-520 allows even more versatility in operation.

The new Perfect Shot Preview feature provides the learning photographer with a 'four-in-one' on-screen preview of either exposure compensation or white balance compensation options. The user simply scrolls through the range of compensation examples and selects the best picture making optimal exposure and white balance decisions simple and convenient. Normal real-time preview of white balance, exposure compensation, histogram and depth of field is now standard.

Face Detect technology improves portrait photography by enhancing AF accuracy as well as optimising exposure for faces. Up to 8 faces may be detected. The powerful new detection algorithm permits detection of tilted or inverted faces and even side facial profiles!

Shadow Adjust can also be previewed accurately on the large LCD screen meaning that good pictures can be taken even in difficult to manage high lighting contrast situations.

A new larger LCD screen that shows you a truer picture

The E-520 sports a new 2.7 inch LCD screen with significantly better dynamic range and colour reproduction than that found in the previous model. Improved Hypercrystal II technology provides a significantly clearer wide angle preview and picture playback accuracy to make LiveView and LCD usage even more enjoyable.

A 7-10x digital zoom magnifier with a user movable magnifying frame helps to provide precise focus for accurate macro-photography, even for off-center close-up subjects.

For underwater photography use, independent screen colour balance adjustment is now possible, significantly improving preview accuracy thus making LiveView usage beneath the water an even better experience.

In-body Image Stabiliser gets more versatile

Olympus was the first digital SLR manufacturer to prove that built-in body image stabiliser technology could match and even surpass the capabilities of image-stabilised lenses for shake-reduction with the remarkable E-510. Like the E-510 an Olympus-designed Image Stabiliser unit using supersonic wave technology provides for up to 4 EV steps of image stabilisation capability, making handheld telephoto lens shooting and lower light photography without flash convenient and practical.

Without image-stabilisation components in the lens, lenses can be made more compact and lighter. The inconvenience and added expense of having to purchase dedicated stabilised lenses is completely eliminated.

The new E-520 takes the image-stabilisation capability further in two new ways. A new third IS mode allows for pan-stabilised photography with the camera body held vertically. Secondly, users of legacy Olympus OM lenses who want IS benefits when using the E-520 with such lenses via the MF-1 lens mount adapter can simply dial in their OM lens focal lengths to activate correct image stabilisation.

Improved Automatic White Balance

A new improved Automatic White Balance algorithm ensures better results with greater colour compensation consistency, especially in mixed lighting.

Professional quality wireless flash capability

The new E-520 features wireless flash control of the latest FL-50R and FL-36R strobe units. Up to three groups of these flashes may be combined for outstanding flash results without fuss. Wireless flash control is activated using the built in flash of the camera, eliminating the need for an external wireless slave controller.

What dust?

The tried and tested Olympus Supersonic Wave dust-reduction system has been acknowledged in independent tests to be the best dust reducing system in the world. A proven combination of dust reduction technologies ensure that great images can be captured with the E-520 without having to waste time in post-capture to eliminate black spots.

Even the kit lenses are terrific!

All experienced photographers know that a camera is really only as good as the lenses that are used with it.

The Olympus "Zuiko Digital" lens catalog features the industry's biggest lineup of lenses specifically designed to maximise the capability of the image sensor chip, providing the photographer with the widest range of digital lens options, with (35mm film-equivalent) focal lengths that range from an ultra-wide 14mm to a super-telephoto 600mm.

Unlike many film-specific lenses still used with many digital SLR cameras today, all Olympus digital lenses are designed to focus light optimally onto the camera's image sensor with their unique telecentric designs, ensuring that picture quality is highly uniform from the centre to the edges of the picture. High sharpness and contrast across wide and narrow apertures characterise each Olympus digital lens, ensuring maximum picture quality under all lighting conditions. These high quality characteristics prevail across the Super Pro, Pro and Standard range of Zuiko Digital lenses, ensuring maximum value and performance right across the range.

Independent lens test reviews have proven the superiority of the Olympus dedicated digital lens design approach. The 'entry-level' Zuiko Digital 14-42mm and 40-150 lenses in the E-520 kits exceed the performance of many other starter lenses and even some mid-range optics!

For the intrepid traveller, nature or sport enthusiast photographer who wants an image-stabilised camera system with minimal size and weight, the new Zuiko Digital 9-18mm Ultra-Wide angle lens combined with our best selling 70-300mm Super Telephoto lens represents an amazing DSLR package: An astounding 18-600mm range (an approximate 33X zoom capability) in the traditional 35mm format can be had with just these two lenses!

The new Olympus E-520: Incredible image stabilisation

The new E-520 is available in the following configuration/kits:

1. E-520 body only

2. E-520 Single lens kit with 14-42mm standard wide zoom lens

3. E-520 Twin lens kit with 14-42mm standard wide and 40-150 telephoto zoom lenses

4. E-520 Super Telephoto kit with 14-42mm standard wide and 70-300mm super telephoto zoom lenses

Availability and prices to be announced