The Olympus Evolt E-510 is in the crowded middle ground of 10megapixels, semi-professional digital SLRs along with the Nikon D200 and newly launched Nikon D300, the Canon 40D, the Pentax K10D and some might say even the Nikon D80.

• New 10MP Live MOS sensor and TruePic III processor
• CCD-shift image stabilization
• The return of Live View
• New kit lenses
• Faster USB interface (’real’ USB 2.0 speed)
• All-new body shape
• Wired remote option

Looks like the E-510 is a winner, especially for fans of the FourThirds system.

But overall, especially considering the excellent pricing, extensive feature set, effective image stabilization and superb design/construction/handling, the E-510 is an impressive and hugely rewarding camera in use. The results from the kit lens are some of the best we’ve ever seen, the SSWF dust reduction system is the most effective on the market and the whole package shows that Olympus understands the needs of the photographer as well as - if not better than - any of its major competitors. If it had a better sensor (less noise and better dynamic range) the E-510 would be a strong candidate for category winner; as it is you’ll need to decide if the slight compromises the sensor demands are going to affect the type of pictures you take.

Read the full and extremely in-depth review here:

Olympus E-510 EVOLT Review - DPReview

If you are a higher end user, you might want to wait for the Olympus Evolt E-3 reviews to come out, it looks like a great camera with a street price in Malaysia of around RM4000 for the body.

Personally I think the Alpha can’t fight, the only advantage it has is the in-body anti-shake system which frankly isn’t as effective as having it in the lens.

Image from dpreview.com

Having IS/VR in the lens means you can see the effects through the viewfinder and it’s more accurate as it’s tailed to the lens (each one having different focal lenghts, different aperture and different setups with more/less blades and elements).

Having tried the Alpha out the picture quality is ‘ok’ for an SLR type cam, but its not very exciting, the latitude or dynamic range doesn’t seem very great and the controls aren’t super accessible.

I’d go for the Canon 400D or the Nikon D80 everytime, if you have the budget of course get the D80 as it’s the superior cam but does cost more.

Also remember when you are buying a camera you are buying into a system, the bodies will come and go, what you will spend money on is accessories and lenses.

Sony lenses are expensive and hard to find, the second hand market is next to zero and finding anything for Konica-Minolta mount in Asia is hard.

KM was pretty popular back in Europe but it’s not here in Asia.

Anyway here is some info if you are considering getting a mid/entry level dSLR and specifically the Sony Alpha A100.

Reviews

DPReview Extensive Sony Alpha A100 Review

DCRP Review: Sony Alpha DSLR-A100

Imaging Resource: Sony Alpha A100

Camera Labs Sony Alpha A100

Comparisons

EOS 400D / XTi vs Nikon D80 vs Sony A100 - Camera Labs

Sony Alpha A100 Compared to the Nikon D80 and Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi / 400D Digital SLR’s