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Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43
Olympus E-510 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs

Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced November 2007
  • Alternative Name is EVOLT E-510
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-500
  • New Model is Olympus E-520
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Olympus E-510 versus Olympus E-PM2, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Olympus. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the E-510 (10MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-510 was manufactured 6 years earlier than the E-PM2 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-510 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-510 grades against the E-PM2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-510 E-PM2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-510

 E-PM2 E-510 
IntroducedMay 2013November 2007Newer by 66 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-510 and Olympus E-PM2

 E-510 E-PM2 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-510 has got outside measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PM2 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-510 versus Olympus E-PM2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-510 vs the E-PM2.

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-510 and E-PM2 is 69 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-510 and E-PM2.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Olympus E-PM2 to show more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged E-510 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-510
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
56
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low MP (10 megapixels)
71
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-510 Street photography features
Olympus E-PM2 Street photography features
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (490 grams)
no moving screen
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
offers touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (10MP)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
52
lighter than average in class (490 grams)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
low MP (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
offers touch to focus
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-510 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography info
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
low MP (10MP)
no Timelapse function
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-510 Vlogging features
Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging features
9
no video shooting
36
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic support
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Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-510 and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus E-510Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-510 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Otherwise known as EVOLT E-510 -
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2007-11-23 2013-05-21
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 3 35
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490 grams (1.08 lbs) 269 grams (0.59 lbs)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 72
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.0 12.2
DXO Low light score 442 932
Other
Battery life - 360 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail price $550 $448