Compare Prices : Olympus E-500 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: A brilliantly versatile digital camera but image quality is underwhelming.

Pros: Excellent build quality; Hi-tech features

Cons: Weak detail; Erratic auto-focus

Verdict: Tough, compact and professional, but images can't quite match the best

Pros: Compact design ; strong autofocus performance even in low-light situations ; intuitive and easy-to-navigate menu system ; wide range of automated and manual features to appeal to both serious hobbyists and curious SLR newcomers

Cons: Unreliable automatic white balance in some conditions ; slow start-up time when dust reduction is enabled ; compatible Zuiko lenses don't indicate focal distance

Verdict: The Olympus E-500 is a compact, easy-to-use digital SLR camera with a broad feature set for its class and very nice photo quality overall

Review summary: Announced on the 26th of September 05, the Olympus E-500 is a new 8 megapixel digital camera with a Zuiko 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 lens. The cameras 3.2x optical zoom lens has a 28-90mm 35mm film equivalent. The Olympus E-500 is available from around £499, ...

Pros: Very good image quality Excellent battery life Very pleasing natural colours Simple to use, thanks AUTO and Scene modes (although practice is recommended) Good kit lens Wide-angle / telephoto lenses available, note also with an adapter can use other ...

Cons: Manual focus is difficult (small optical viewfinder) Advanced manual is on CD Included Olympus Master software is slow

Verdict: This is an impressive digital SLR camera, offering excellent image quality, an excellent range of lenses with very precise manual zoom control. The screen is good, and the camera can produce excellent photos - although be aware that in low light ...

Pros: Compact design ; strong autofocus performance even in low-light situations ; intuitive and easy-to-navigate menu system ; wide range of automated and manual features to appeal to both serious hobbyists and curious SLR newcomers

Cons: Unreliable automatic white balance in some conditions ; slow start-up time when dust reduction is enabled ; compatible Zuiko lenses don't indicate focal distance

Verdict: The Olympus Evolt E-500 is a compact, easy-to-use digital SLR camera with a broad feature set for its class and very nice photo quality overall.

Pros: Compact design ; strong autofocus performance even in low-light situations ; intuitive and easy-to-navigate menu system ; wide range of automated and manual features to appeal to both serious hobbyists and curious SLR newcomers

Cons: Unreliable automatic white balance in some conditions ; slow start-up time when dust reduction is enabled ; compatible Zuiko lenses don't indicate focal distance

Verdict: The Olympus Evolt E-500 is a compact, easy-to-use digital SLR camera with a broad feature set for its class and very nice photo quality overall.