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Canon 50D vs Olympus E-510

Portability
57
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57
Canon EOS 50D front
 
Olympus E-510 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43

Canon 50D vs Olympus E-510 Key Specs

Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Revealed October 2008
  • Replaced the Canon 40D
  • Updated by Canon 60D
Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced November 2007
  • Also Known as EVOLT E-510
  • Older Model is Olympus E-500
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-520
Photography Glossary

Canon 50D vs Olympus E-510 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Canon 50D and Olympus E-510, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Canon and Olympus. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and E-510 (10MP) and the 50D (APS-C) and E-510 (Four Thirds) boast totally different sensor size.

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The 50D was introduced 12 months later than the E-510 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the 50D grades versus the E-510 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Olympus E-510

 50D E-510 
AnnouncedOctober 2008November 2007Fresher by 12 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Canon 50D

 E-510 50D 

Common features in the Canon 50D and Olympus E-510

 50D E-510 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Canon 50D vs Olympus E-510 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon 50D enjoys exterior dimensions of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") and a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) while the Olympus E-510 has measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Check the Canon 50D and Olympus E-510 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the 50D and the E-510.

Canon 50D vs Olympus E-510 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 50D and E-510 is 57 and 69 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Olympus E-510 top view buttons comparison

Canon 50D vs Olympus E-510 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing only by looking at technical specs. The visual here may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 50D and E-510.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 50D using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Canon 50D will give extra detail using its extra 5MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The fresher 50D is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 50D vs Olympus E-510 sensor size comparison

Canon 50D vs Olympus E-510 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 50D vs Olympus E-510 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 50D
Portrait photography with Olympus E-510
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
56
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon 50D Street photography highlights
Olympus E-510 Street photography highlights
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors (490 grams)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Canon 50D Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-510 Sports photography highlights
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
bad battery life (800 per charge)
52
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 50D Travel photography information
Olympus E-510 Travel photography information
57
weather proof
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
bad battery life (800 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competitors (490 grams)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 50D Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-510 Landscape photography advice
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no image stabilization
bad battery life (800 shots)
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.5")
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D Vlogging advice
Olympus E-510 Vlogging advice
9
no video shooting
9
can't shoot video
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Canon 50D vs Olympus E-510 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 50D and Olympus E-510
 Canon EOS 50DOlympus E-510
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model Canon EOS 50D Olympus E-510
Also called as - EVOLT E-510
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-10-30 2007-11-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Max resolution 4752 x 3168 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF/EF-S Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 326 45
Focal length multiplier 1.6 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.3 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 822 gr (1.81 lb) 490 gr (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 63 52
DXO Color Depth score 21.8 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 10.0
DXO Low light score 696 442
Other
Battery life 800 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model BP-511A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $996 $550