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Photograph: Rick Rizner
Olympus Stylus 500
- Spec Navigator
- Digital Format
- Display
- Exposure
- Image Processor
- Included Software
- Lens
- Shutter
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Power
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Connectivity
- Other Features
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 5 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CCD |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 2560 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 1920 |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format | JPEG |
| White balance | 0 |
Exposure Controls
| Maximum shutter speed | 1000 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 |
| Bulb setting | 0 |
| ISO equivalencies |
|
| Exposure settings | 0 |
| Exposure compensation range | 0 |
| Number of scene modes | 19 |
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Cameras »
Pros
Big, bright 2.5-inch LCD
Very sharp images
Cons
No manual focus
No advanced exposure controls
Bottom Line
Big, bright LCD is easy to use even in direct sunlight, but some text exposures were dark and colors seemed cold.
Olympus Stylus 500
Stylus 500 Review, by Anush Yegyazarian March 25, 2005
The first thing you'll notice when you pick up the $400 Olympus Stylus 500 is the huge 2.5-inch LCD, which takes a full two-thirds of the compact camera's back. And when it's on, it looks even more impressive. Unfortunately, in our tests the Stylus 500's off-screen photo quality didn't measure up.
The 5-megapixel Stylus 500 starts off well, literally: After you press the On button or the camera wakes up from sleep, you can be shooting in 2 seconds or less. The unit's well-placed four-way thumbpad lets you easily access the menus and set picture quality or contrast, for example, with one hand. The mode wheel, with which you can switch between photo, movie, image playback, and album modes, is also positioned well, but you will need to hold the camera with both hands to use it properly. A quick-view button allows you to see the most recent picture you've snapped, but you must use the navigation wheel to erase or scroll through the images you've taken; deleting bad shots is a three-step process.
Images look gorgeous on the 2.5-inch LCD, which has about 215,000 pixels--not the highest currently available, but sufficient to make it pretty sharp. Thanks to what Olympus calls HyperCrystal technology, the LCD is fairly viewable from off-angle (making it easier for two or more people to see your shots at the same time), and you can still see what you're shooting in bright or dim light.
Of the digital cameras we've tested recently, the Stylus 500 ranked just slightly below average in most of our image-quality tests--but that's among very tight competition. This model's images were accurate enough to earn an overall score of Good. It received its highest scores for sharpness, which was on a par with that of other 5-megapixel models we've looked at. All of the 8-by-10 prints we produced from the Stylus's images looked reasonably crisp. The exposure values were generally on the mark, and color accuracy was close. We had one complaint, in that the colors in our outdoor scene and flash portrait looked less saturated than we like. Also, the outdoor scene's color balance fell on the bluish side, and the image lacked some detail in the darker and lighter areas.
On our battery test the Stylus fared well, yielding 264 shots on one charge of its lithium ion rechargeable battery.
Some nifty features come with the Stylus 500. For one, you can create a photo album of images stored in your XD-Picture Card, either via Olympus's Master editing software or directly through the camera's controls. You can also crop your pictures in a rudimentary way on the camera, and you can connect the unit directly to a PictBridge-compatible printer for PC-less printing.
Don't expect a lot of controls on this model, however. You get five preset white-balance options, but no white-balance calibration--a useful feature that was once found only in advanced cameras but is becoming more common in point-and-shoots. You also get no manual focus, nor any advanced exposure controls such as aperture-priority automatic. You do, however, get 21 preset scene modes, including some unusual ones such as a specialized document setting and an underwater setting. (Despite the camera's being rated as "all-weather," you will need to buy an underwater housing for it before any snorkeling trips.) We found that some of the modes, such as the indoor one, work quite well, while the behind-glass mode was hit-and-miss. You can also take panoramic shots.
The camera feels sturdy, with a metallic body and rubber-sealed doors to help it resist many weather hazards. Its body measures just over an inch thick, and the unit weighs about 7 ounces with battery, making it a no-brainer to pocket when you're out and about.
The clearly written documentation includes a quick-setup poster and a basic manual. For anything detailed, however, you will have to go to the included CD manual.
Upshot: Its great LCD, small size, and weather-resistant case make the Stylus 500 a good choice for outdoor snapshooters undeterred by rain or shine.
Anush Yegyazarian
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PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
-
75
-
60
-
60
- See Complete Lab Results »
Performance Comparison with Similar Cameras
75
80
75
78
Performance
| Battery Life (minutes) | 144.5 |
| Battery Life Score | Good |
| Image Quality Score | Good |
| Image Quality, Color | 58 |
| Image Quality, Distortion | 40 |
| Image Quality, Exposure | 59.3 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Flash | 53 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Normal | 62 |
| Image Quality, Overall | 57 |
| Image Quality, Sharpness | 30.1 |
| Number of Batteries | 1 |
| Number of Shots | 264 |
User Reviews
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: missioncontrol26
Strengths: Weather-resistant, Long battery life, Easy to view pics. on the LCD screen after taken.
Weaknesses: Sometimes hard to see the screen with sunlight on it.
Overall: I think this is a great camera for anyone looking for something for general purposes. I took it on a snowmobile trip in the mountains of Alaska and used it for 9 days with out running out of battery. Also used it in temperatures of 20 degrees below zero F. and it worked great. Handled snow well. I also used it on fishing trips and never worried about water ruining the camera.
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Reviewed by: vkpm
Strengths: High resolution 2.5 LCD, all weather design
Weaknesses: Flimsy body, picture quality is not good in low lighting, short battery life, no date imprint. No manual control.
Overall: I owned this camera for about 4 months before I lost it. The overall picture quality is good for outdoor. In low lighting, it does not focus well. The LCD drains the battery quickly. You should consider having a extra battery handy. The package comes with a CD, basic manual, and No Advance Manual. You have to print out the advance manual from the CD yourself. It is a fine camera, though there are better choices now in the market.
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Reviewed by: minang
Strengths: All-weather-proof, right size, large LCD, and easy to use
Weaknesses: haven't found yet
Overall: I like this camera better, compare to my previous Nikon. Its size makes it easy to fit to any common camera pocket. Its all-weather-construction makes me feel better to bring this camera to beaches or wet areas. Its LCD is really helpful. I haven't seen the weakness yet...but if I found one, I'll report it back.
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Reviewed by: kenchar
Strengths: Size, Screen, Dust and Water Resistant
Weaknesses: XD Media Cost
Overall: I actually purchase two of these cameras - one as a gift for my father in law and one for myself. The Stylus 500 is a reasonably price 5 mega pixel camera with an absolutely stunning 2.5" screen. I was a little worried that it did not have a traditional viewfinder but after using the huge screen I now realize it is really not necessary. The camera takes very sharp pictures with excellent color accuracy. I read all of the reviews on this camera and to my eye at least the pictures are excellent. This camera is slightly larger than its competitors such as Canon which I also considered. As it is slightly larger I find that it is easier to hold steady and easier to use the buttons. The video recording mode if great for doing video that you may want to E-mail but it does not replace a good camcorder. Overall we are absolutely thrilled with this camera.
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Reviewed by: SmileyLog
Strengths: User friendly. Large LCD viewer. Weatherproof. Small enough to take everywhere. Long lasting lithium batteries. All of my friends want my Olympus Stylus 500!
Weaknesses: No eye viewfinder.
Overall: My son recommended this camera for me for its simplicity and the "easy grab and take" compactiblity. After using it for a few weeks, it has definitley lived up to its reputation. The large LCD viewer is great. With my previous digital camera I had a very difficult time viewing because of the small size and fading of the images especially in the sunlight. The Stylus 500's veiwer is large enough to see without my glasses and the images are crisp, clear, and vivid even out in the bright sun. And knowing that the camera is weatherproof, I don't have to hold back from taking it to sporting events and other outings outdoors. I don't have to miss any "photogenic moments". The lithium battery relieves my worries of my batteries dying before my picture taking event is over. All of my friends are very inquisitive about my camera and want to get one for themselves.
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