Olympus E410 vs Olympus E510 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E410
35
SCORE
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Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E510
35
SCORE
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|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E410 and Olympus E510 are DSLRs announced on the same day, 05/03/2007, so this is a choice between same-year bodies rather than an older and newer generation. The E410 is the lighter camera to pack, at 435 g against 490 g for the E510. It is also the slimmer body at 130 x 91 x 53 mm, while the E510 measures 136 x 92 x 68 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 5, 2007 | March 5, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 91 x 53 mm | 136 x 92 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 435 g | 490 g |
| Optics | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsResolution, speed and low-light settings are the same on both, so neither body offers an edge for cropping, action or dim interiors. Both use a 10 MP NMOS sensor with the TruePic III processor and the same lens mount, so any lens bought for one fits the other. Sensitivity runs from 100 to 1600 ISO on each, and both top out at 1/4000 second. Shooting behaviour also matches. Both capture at 3 fps, use 3 autofocus points and frame through an optical pentamirror viewfinder. Neither body includes in-body stabilisation, so sharp handheld shots in dim light depend on the lens or a tripod. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10 MP050 | 10 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
NMOS | NMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14 x 18 | 14 x 18 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic III | TruePic III |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
30300 | 30300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers a built-in timelapse mode, so clips and time-lapse sequences call for a different tool entirely. This is a similarity rather than a split: the E410 and E510 are strictly stills cameras. Anyone who wants motion footage alongside stills should look beyond this pair. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 30/100 | 30/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E510 offers slightly finer playback detail on its rear screen, with 230,000 dots against 215,000 on the E410. That dot count is the only place their features differ, and both screens are fixed 2.5-inch LCDs. Useful capabilities are shared here. Both cameras offer live view for framing on the screen, plus a built-in flash and support for an external flash unit. Neither includes GPS, wireless connectivity or weather sealing, so geotagging and remote transfer need other equipment. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2.5" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2150001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 60/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage is a match, so cards and workflow move freely between the two bodies. Each camera takes Compact Flash (Type I or II) and xD Picture Card media, and both have dual slots so two cards can be loaded at once. The batteries differ, and the E410 holds the longer rating at 500 shots against 440 shots for the E510. The E410 uses a BLS-1 pack while the E510 takes a BLM-1, so spares are not interchangeable. Neither camera charges over USB, so each depends on its own mains charger. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | BLS-1 | BLM-1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
With matching stills specifications, the real choice comes down to portability and convenience. Choose the Olympus E410 for travel and walking photography. It is 55 g lighter, carries the longer 500-shot battery rating and packs smaller thanks to its slimmer 53 mm-deep body.
Pick the Olympus E510 if you prefer its deeper 68 mm body and the finer 230,000-dot screen for reviewing shots. Because the lens mount and card formats are shared, your lenses and cards carry over if you switch between them later. Neither records video, so moviemakers should look beyond this pair.