Olympus Evolt E-500

84

Very Good

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9 User Reviews | add yours »

Pros
Extensive menus
Large LCD
Cons
Response to control wheel is sluggish
Manual focus isn't precise

$419.20 - $567.00
From 3 Merchants

Olympus Evolt E-500 Review

by Eric Butterfield

Entry-level SLR digital camera brings 8 megapixels and a 2.5-inch LCD to the fray.

This well-equipped and reasonably priced entry-level digital SLR produces high-quality images. The 8-megapixel camera comes with a wide array of features that establish it as a legitimate challenger to Canon's popular, similarly priced Digital Rebel XT. Regrettably, usability issues prevent me from wholeheartedly recommending it over the XT.

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Olympus markets the E-500 in three versions: $700 for the body only, $800 for the body plus a 14-45mm lens (the kit I tested), and $900 for that combination plus a 40-155mm lens. The E-500's body felt sturdy, the rubber grip fit snugly in my hand, and the 2.5-inch color LCD was eye-catching. By contrast, the Canon Digital Rebel XT seems somewhat less rugged, its hand grip is too skinny, and the color LCD is smaller.

For beginners, the E-500 offers 15 scene modes, but its true strength lies in its deep feature set. For example, the exposure lock and autofocus lock functions are highly customizable. And it offers plenty of choices for automatic exposure bracketing, white balance, and in-camera processing. Plus, the E-500 has a dust filter.

I enjoyed using the camera, but I found some aspects of its design and performance a bit frustrating. The camera's response to the control wheel is sluggish, and I struggled a bit when trying to focus the lens manually. Also, images shot at high ISO settings of 800 and 1600 were less than stellar, despite using the noise reduction feature.

The price and quality of the E-500's kits are hard to beat. But old-school photographers who like shooting in manual mode might find this camera a bit too slow to respond, and if you expect to shoot using high ISO settings, the Digital Rebel XT may be a better bet.

Upshot: A large LCD, extensive menus, and a nice price make this camera compelling, but it has a few usability issues.

Eric Butterfield

User Reviews for Olympus Evolt E-500

Reviewed by: rhol

Duration of ownership: 1 Year

Strengths: Good build Easy to hold-well-balanced Very good kit lenses Light responsive shutter release Very good image quality Excellent colours. Loads of custom options, most easy to set via screen or direct buttons. Top value.

Weaknesses: A bit noisy at high ISO Viewfinder info can be difficult to see Alarming flash strobing to gain focusing in poor light

Overall Evaluation: Having used Canon A1s in the past,I initially intended to buy the Canon 350d. However it was difficult to hold (I have large hands). Seeing the E500 on display I tried it out. What a treat to hold! After viewing good reviews, I bought the 2-lens kit.I have not regetted it. This camera has re-kindled my interest in photography. Though out of production it must be worth looking at secondhand, if you're on a tight budget. Alternatively the E510 appears to be an even better camera!
Reviewed by: ant500

Duration of ownership: 6 Months

Strengths: Great Pictures with a nice price. Very easy to use.

Weaknesses: Low light focus is very slow and not accurate. No Image stabilization lens available from olympus.

Overall Evaluation: Great Pictures.... Camera is extremely easy to use and understand. I've taken about a thousand pictures and they look great. Only a couple of cons. The AF alluminator flashes off several times and camera sttill doesn't focus right in low light. Olympus has yet to produce a stabalized lens. Other than that, I would've gave it five stars. Camera is very well balanced. Not to heavy and not to light. The grip is very comfortable and has a nice feel.

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