In terms of image quality, overall ruggedness, and versatility, I'd say you could pick one blindfolded and be happy..

However since I am a happy Olympus user, I will pretend the only rational choice is the E510 and address it's suitability for your needs and let someone else try to sell you another camera!.

With the E510, the two lens kit is a very good value (around $1000 USD, but shop around, the prices can be lower). The lenses are quite small and very sharp considering they are kit lenses. They aren't particularly fast, but the small body size and small lenses make for a very nice travel package..

And the in body IS will help offset the slowness in the lenses by allowing you to hand hold slower shutter speeds than you could without IS. (I've read optimistic reports of a full 2 f/stop advantage, but I suspect if you get a single full f/stop you should be happy..

The anti-dust measures in the Oly work and works consistently. In 2 years, I've never had to clean my E500 sensor. Also the live view capabilty will be very useful for close-ups and portraits..

Well, I don't know about you, but I just sold myself on the E510!.

Now that you've judged the quality of my typing, take a look at my photos..http://www.photo.net/photos/GlenBarrington..

I should have said something like, "if you can consistently get a full stop advantage from IS on low light situations you should be happy.".

The reason I say that is that your low light results with IS will likely vary depending on the situation. In some situations, you may well get a full 2 stop advantage, and on others, you may see no advantage at all..

In either case, I think you will want IS It's great for action, quick grab shots, and those times when you've had too much coffee and you're all shakey. (better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it)Now that you've judged the quality of my typing, take a look at my photos..http://www.photo.net/photos/GlenBarrington..

Thanks! I'm really interested in E510...however I haven't got a chance to try it...I went to Best Buy (very disappointing, horrible store) and Circuit City (ok store...) few days ago...Sony A100 was the only camera which really works in the store...i like it...the hand grip is great...the lens was pretty cool too...i think it's very user friendly to me...one interesting thing about Sony A100 was that you can take picture and preview it without memory card..... even though you can't store it...but at least I had a full experience with Sony A100...other cameras didn't work well since they even can't be turned on...or no memory card inside......I'll try another store later for E510 and D10K....http://benjasmine.deviantart.com/..

Benjasmine wrote:.

Thanks! I'm really interested in E510...however I haven't got achance to try it....

One of the most desirable aspact of DSLR: More dynamic range. E510 falters on it (one stop less DR than others in class). So it lags behind..

Sony A100 wasthe only camera which really works in the store...i like it...thehand grip is great...the lens was pretty cool too...i think it'svery user friendly to me...one interesting thing about Sony A100was that you can take picture and preview it without memorycard..... even though you can't store it...but at least I had afull experience with Sony A100....

A100 is great value for money with in-body I.S. and a bit extra zoom in Kit-Lens. DRO functions well too. Noise is an issue only at ISO1600. That can be dealt with effectively by photoshop noise fiter or cheap softwares like neatimage, noise-ninja etc.Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..

All digital cameras are DR challenged and the APS cameras are as handicapped as any. The DR differences between the Sony and the Oly are not significnt, look at the everyday photos between the two. You will discover that EITHER camera's DR is roughly similar to that of typical 35mm slide film. This is a red herring issue since superb photos can be made with either in all types of situations..

If you investigate further, you will discover, good metering and proper exposure virtually eliminate this presumed difference. I would remind you all that slide film was the 35 mm format of choice for the publishing industry prior to the advent of digital imagry and its' dr was similar. That level of dynamic range is well within industry needs..

People pressing for a wider DR gamut seem to think the small sensor DSLRs (4/3s, and the various flavors of APS) must somehow perform to the level of medium format film cameras. Well they can't. The technology just isn't there..

Now that you've judged the quality of my typing, take a look at my photos..http://www.photo.net/photos/GlenBarrington..

I can warmly to recommend the A100 because of his in body image stabilization..

Easy to use, and one of the best about the rendering of colours..

Michel J..

Has better weather sealing than the D200, but is also the biggest and heaviest..

Of the three you listed and for what you want to shoot I would go for the K10 and the Sigma 17-70 for starters..

It's a good lens and from what I've seen it works very, very well on the K10..

Gene..

Thanks everyone! OK...so I went to a Ritz Camera local store yesterday...i was expecting to try Pentax...but they told me they will no longer sell it anymore...so I haven't seen a Pentax yet after going to Best Buy, Circuit City and Ritz Camera...and oh yeah, and I haven't seen a E510 yet either...they told me that they will get it next month....

I also have another question...I heard that Olympus has wide angle issue? is that true? I think besides the low-light performance, wide angle is also important to me....

Thanks!.

Http://benjasmine.deviantart.com/..

Oly will fall short on Image Noise at long exposures.Minolta A100 is not sealed.

Pentax K10D is a winner. It will except old fast prime lenses that you can add later to your set..

On both Oly and Sony old MF fast (1.4) lenses will not work without adapter. Having adapter removes any advantages of using MF 1.4... .

Http://www.stan-pustylnik.smugmug.com..

Stan_P wrote:.

Oly will fall short on Image Noise at long exposures.Minolta A100 is not sealed.

If the A100 is a Minolta! Maybe your 7D is a ... Sony..

BTW your 7D (according to your profile) is not sealed too !!!.

The Pentax is closer than the 7D but I don't know why is a "winner" for a beginner ?No IS, no enhanced DR, few choice of lenses etc..

Michel J..

...again:.

The Pentax is pretty the same than the 7D or A100 (IQ) but I don't know why it's a "winner" for a beginner ? .

Ouf !Michel J..

If you can afford it Oly has the best wide angle lens made for DLSRs-.

The 7-14 F4. It's about $1700, gives the eqivalent or 14-28mm FOV.

Go to camerlabs.com for a test/review of this lens and also all of the cameras you are looking at..

Gene..

Michel J wrote:.

The Pentax is closer than the 7D but I don't know why is a "winner"for a beginner ?No IS, no enhanced DR, few choice of lenses etc..

Michel J.

We're talking Pentax K10d? Test's I've read say it does have in body stab. like Oly 510 and Sony A100..

Benjasmine wrote:.

I also have another question...I heard that Olympus has wide angleissue? is that true? I think besides the low-light performance,wide angle is also important to me....

The wide-angle "issue" that Oly has is that 4:3 sensor which has a 2x multiplication factor vs. the 1.5 multipication factor of a typical APS-C sensor. An 18mm lens on an Oly is equal to 36mm on a full frame whereas it equal to a 27 on an APC. It's a non-issue as another pointed out Oly has a 7mm in it's lineup...

All three you mentioned have stabilised sensor which one bitten I think forever smitten? I'm happy with my Sony but sometimes feel nervous about it getting rained on. Though the Pentax is weather sealed I don't know that it's lenses are. If you like the Pentax but can't afford it, it's iddentifcal Samsgung GX clone may be cheaper. Ultimately pictures from all three are probably identical if taken by the same person at the same place and time so best to work out what you will be using it for and which feels best in your hand...

As Gene stated above, the 7-14 is, arguably, one of the best but at a price..

Don't discount the Oly 11-22 (22-44 EFL). It's a great lens in all respects. Then there's the specialty 8mm Fish Eye lens which is also great..

So, any rumors you've heard or read about Oly's WA performance are greatly exaggerated.Troll WhispererBill Turner.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window..

I'm an Oly user, first had the E-300 as I had little knowledge about photography and more about graphic arts. Thus, with all this concern on dust I was hearing about/reading about ... I took the only option at the time, the E-300 two lens kit. I have never had an issue with dust and I have printed up to 3x4 ft..

When the Sony came out, I was really interested in it ... but have read more and more about (initially) about issues with it. I had read about the E-510 coming up, but had no idea when the release date was going to be so I started to research the Pentax K10D. As long as you're not a "point & shoot" person, and if you don't mind working with RAW files then I give that camera top marks. I've tried it out twice and it is heavier, but I was used to my E-300's weight with a heavy lens. But, at that time quality lens options seemed limited with the Pentax ...



The E-510 came out, managed to get some sample photos and decided to go for it. But part of my decision was already having the E-300 and 5 lenses (2 quality lenses: 14-54mm F/2.8-3.5, 50-200mm F/2.8-3.5). If I had to start from scratch it would be a coin toss between the E-510 and the K10D. K10D is weather sealed and has the top plate LCD, more autofocus points, and a bigger image sensor. The E-510 has proven dust-buster technology and proven quality lenses available right now..

So, I know you said you've been unable to find them, but I think it would boil down to personal preference. Take some media cards and see if you can take some sample photos with both of them (either from at the store or through a friendly stranger), and really feel what the camera is like in your hands..

ZalllonFUN: http://flickr.com/photos/zalllon/page2/.

'If you knew you wouldn't fail, what would you try?' - someone..

Thanks guys! I have been busy these days. I will go to local stores when they have E-510 in stock... and since K10D is much heavier, I guess I'll have to give up on it... I travel overseas often, so what I need is a lightweight SLR, along with no more than 3 lenses with me when I travel. A100 is bit heavier than E510, but I can still accept it..

Now I can't decide between A100 and E-510... I'm actually more interested in A100's successor, but it will probably come out at the end of this year. I can't wait that long. If I buy A100, I will most likely upgrade in 10 months (use A100 now, so it'll help me get familiar with it's successor). But if I buy E510, then I don't plan to buy a Sony. I'll just stick with Oly (at least for several years)..

Http://benjasmine.deviantart.com/..

Benjasmine wrote:.

If I buy A100, I willmost likely upgrade in 10 months (use A100 now, so it'll help meget familiar with it's successor). But if I buy E510, then I don'tplan to buy a Sony. I'll just stick with Oly (at least for severalyears)..

What makes you think so? Both are 10MP cameras with good enough IQ and I.S.. Why would you upgrade, unless you are a gadget freak?.

One should think of upgrading only if existing one starts to feel wanting in some critical aspact as you grow your own ability/vision.Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..

Benjasmine wrote:.

If I buy A100, I will most likely upgrade in 10 months (use A100 now, so it'll helpme get familiar with it's successor). But if I buy E510, then I don'tplan to buy a Sony. I'll just stick with Oly (at least for severalyears)..

I just think the opposite. It's very sure that if you choose a brand today, it's not for change later. Until you can use ALL the features of the A100 you have the time for waiting and seeing..

Good luck..

Michel J..

To check the viewfinders of the cameras side by side.You may have a shock...Just passing by.....

Thanks guys for your advice. I bought A100 with 18-70mm kit lens on Dell.com today. You're right... I should learned all the features on A100 first before thinking an upgrade. I will definitely take this advice. and thanks for the advice about checking viewfinder.

Thanks!.

Thanks everyone!.

Here's the details of my purchase and reason...http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1002&message=23896393.

My Photography: http://benjasmine.deviantart.com/..

Olympus E-510 with two lens kit at Amazon.com for $899 that's hard to beat!..

We know that you like sooooo much Oly...Michel J..

Michel J wrote:.

We know that you like sooooo much Oly...Michel J.

Yes, I even bought one, which I won't get til next week. I spent all the money I saved for a down payment for a car. I can't go anywhere, but I'll be able to take great pictures of my big toe!..

Ajay0612 wrote:.

One should think of upgrading only if existing one starts to feelwanting in some critical aspact as you grow your own ability/vision..

I agree 100%..

I really think digital cameras are starting to mature, and the law of diminishing returns is setting in. Most people don't upgrade their cars every year, unless they are extremely rich.... but in that case they probably "upgrade their wife" too..

There was a huge performance leap between the first generation and the second generation DSLR's, but the benefits obtained by upgrading lately keeps getting smaller as we move to third and fourth generation models..

Anyone who needs to ask others "what should I buy?" probably doesn't have enough advanced photographic skills to even need a DSLR..

I just don't understand why beginners need the "latest and greatest" and talk about upgrading before they even buy their first camera..

I would reccommend that beginners by a used fairly full featured DSLR, and then upgrade to something better after they learn the ropes in a couple of years. At that point, they will know exactly what they need, and won't need to ask others "what should I get?" The 8 MP Canon Digital Rebel XT comes to mind as a good choice that can be had for around $500 with lens. Also... believe it or not... I've seen many 8MP Olympus E-300s selling used on ebay for under $300! With lens!.

All three of the OP's choices are fine cameras with similar feature sets. (Although I really am puzzled as to why the Pentax 10D, which is much higher priced than the other two, was selected rather than the more comparable Pentax 110D)..

MartyPanasonic FZ20,Panasonic FZ7,Olympus C7000,Leica M3..