Olympus Evolt E500 8MP Digital SLR with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 & 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Lenses
- 8-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
- 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD display; 5 metering modes and built-in filters, including nine filters for black-and-white photography
- Exclusive dust-free technology for spot-free photos
- Lightweight ergonomic design; kit includes one 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 and one 40-150mm f3.5-4.5 Zuiko lens
- Powered by one lithium-ion battery; stores images on CF, Micro Drive, or xD Picture Cards
Premium picture quality and superb performance come easy with this comfortable to handle digital SLR. At a time when we want complex things to become simple, the EVOLT E-500 succeeds in doing so with a sleek, lightweight design for impressive portability and advanced controls and options that can be accessed with minimal effort. Bursting with speed and producing spotless pictures with exceptional color and detail, the EVOLT E-500 is tailor-made for anyone to use while capturing the imagination in the process. Features: 8 megapixel full frame transfer CCD Patented Dust Reduction System uses the Supersonic Wave Filter (SWF) to loosen and remove any and all dust and debris from the image sensor. Large, high-resolution 2.5 LCD 25 shooting modes All digital lenses Dual media slots Automatic pop-up flash 7 available flash modes Stable and lightweight body with ergonomic styling and an advanced grip PictBridge-compatible Select from left, center, or right Auto Focus points either automatical
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Excellent Value and Wonderful Features,
There has already been a lot said on this camera so far so I’ll only add a few things. I have never owned an SLR type camera so this was a new experience for me – in fact, after owning the camera now for a month, I am finally just figuring out how to use it to its full potential – and its potential is very high.
First, let me say that this camera is an excellent value – 8 megapixels and packed with features, including the wonderful super sonic wave filter (which removes dust from the digital sensor). The Olympus line of Digital Zuiko lenses are fantastic, including one of the kit lenses (40-150).
A word to those folks like me (new to the SLR world) to clear up some confusion: a few of the reviewers have mentioned “bad low light performance.” This is not a camera issue, it is more a function of the lens that is attached (or, the speed of the “film” (AKA sensor) that you have the camera set too). Without getting into too much detail, kit lenses included with all of these entry-level DSLR’s are not exactly the best in low light situations – they are referred to in the photographic world as “slow” lenses – meaning that the aperture values they have at the low end are really only good in sunny conditions – at least without setting the camera to a much faster ISO (or film speed setting). So, in other words, the guy that said he is returning his Olympus to go get the canon kit is going to be just as unhappy with the performance of that camera in these situations as he was with the Olympus (from what I’ve read on the professional reviews of the canon, the kit lens is possibly the worst of all the major manufacturers). Blurry pictures are NOT the camera’s fault – they are the user – set the ISO higher to get a higher shutter speed or buy a lens with a “faster” aperture. This is the same with all cameras.
So where does this leave one who is interested in purchasing this camera, well there are two options (at least in my opinion):
1. Buy the 14-45 and 40-150 kit. This really is an excellent value, and while the 14-45 lens isn’t bad (it’s very good outdoors), the 40-150 lens is fantastic. Search any major review – especially those folks that are enthusiasts about olympus and they’ll tell you the same – this lens is remarkable for the price. However, if you do buy this kit (like I did), and you’re planning on taking a lot of pics indoors or in low light situations, do yourself a favor and upgrade to the 14-54 f/2.8-3.5 Digital zuiko lens. This is the kit lens for the professional Olympus DSLR – the E-1. I purchased this recently and the difference is night and day compared to the kit 14-45 f3.5-5.6. The camera has no issues in low light situations, and the “speed” of the lens is fantastic. (BTW, I bought this off of ebay for $400 – I think amazon has it for about $430 with free shipping – so it’s probably a toss up. (this price BTW is much cheaper than upgrading to comparable lenses of competitors like canon and Nikon – remember, you’re going to have to do it no matter which camera you buy if you want good indoor/low light performance).
2. If I had to do it over again, I may have just bought the body. Save yourself $200 and just buy the e-500 body. Then take that $200 and apply it to the price of the 14-54 f2.8-3.5 lens – this would put the total purchase around $1000 and you’ll have a fantastic lens to really learn how the camera works in all situations. So how do you get the great 40-150 lens? I noticed that there are probably 10 on sale on ebay at any given time (from people that are upgrading to the absolutely wonderful 50-200 digial zuiko zoom) for around $100-125.
Whichever option you choose, you really can’t go wrong – this is a wonderful camera for a beginner or serious amateur in SLR photography.
Good luck and welcome to the olympus family!
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|Many blame the hardware but its almost ALWAYS the user. DSLR market just got competitive.,
PP= Post Processing (Photoshop and other image apps)
PQ= Picture Quality
My older brother, who by no means is a professional but has been an enthusiast since my father gave him his old Canon F series 35mm SLR in the 80s, has been my mentor.
He currently uses a 20D with a 420EX flash and some ungodly multi thousand dollar L series lenses. I recently purchased the E-500 dual lens kit for a fraction of the cost and must say that my brother and I both agree it is by FAR the best bang for the buck.
At the level 98% of us are at it is all user error and not camera error when our pictures don’t come out as we would like (most professionals even say its mostly user error or lack of knowledge). I still have a friend who uses a small 2001-Canon S230 and takes pictures that are far better then most of mine.
In low light I have noticed that my E500 does not focus as fast as my brothers 20D (but it definitely still focuses) but from reading online with firmware upgrades they remedied this problem in the E300.
We both also agreed that it felt better in our hands (grip and general ergonomics) and was quite a bit lighter then the 20D as well.
He ,just as myself, LOVED the rear LCD controls for everything from ISO to flash speed and exposure, far more easier and quicker then the 20D for a newbie such as myself. But he commented saying it would have been nice if it had the small simple LCD up top that the canons do as a supplement to the detailed and informative one of the back.
PQ was amazing requiring very little PP, and with the vivid setting we both agreed that the colors did feel better and more vibrant (of course with a small PP Tweak the 20D was right there but for the casual photographer as myself I shy away from PP).
Bottom line we were both floored at what a phenomenal deal this kit is for the price.
———- UPDATED 3/29/2006 ————
Everything said above still holds true, and I must say this is one of the few purchases that almost 6 months later Im still VERY happy with and use it frequently. Through no advertising or sales pitch I have created 3 new customers for Olympus’s E500 kit up to date.
My brother has over $4000 now invested in his camera and he still finds it amusing that my little old $700 kit gets as much attention from all our friends as it does. He recently upgraded to the 580EX flash and a new Wide angel L series lens, and I must admit VERY VERY amazing hardware bursting 3 or 4 pictures WITH flash is very cool.
But we recently went to India to tour Agra, see the Taj Mahal, Sikhanders tomb, and other such sites on the way. At the end of the trip without PP during the day my pictures looked better (we both agreed) and thats all I cared about (mainly talking about color saturation and not detail, just over all presentation). I will admit though in a couple action shots from our speeding bus his camera did perform better, and in the evening some of mine didnt focus properly while his did on the same subject, but Im not a pro, I just enjoy the hobby.
One of my better purchases in recent years.
His camera IS better, mine is just a better deal, it’s all about peace of mind..
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