Olympus Evolt E500 8MP Digital SLR with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 & 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Lenses | 
| Brand: Olympus
List Price: $1,279.00
Buy New: $559.00
You Save: $720.00 (56%)
New (5) Used (6) from $425.00
Rating:  126 reviews
Sales Rank: 13991
Format: Cd
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Operating System: N/A
Optical Zoom: 3.2
Display Size: 2.5
Maximum Focal Length: 45
Minimum Focal Length: 14
Maximum Resolution: 8
Shipping Weight (lbs): 6.4
Dimensions (in): 13.7 x 7.1 x 6.5
MPN: 262064
Model: E-500
UPC: 050332299405
EAN: 0050332299405
ASIN: B000BK39N4
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 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 |
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Product Description
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. Patented Dust Reduction System uses our Supersonic Wave Filter (SWF) to loosen and remove any and all dust and debris from the image sensor. The SWF vibrates at a rate of 35,000 times per second upon start-up as well as when manually activated - and is unnoticeable to the user - for clear, aberration-free images. This removal of dust also means you never have to worry about changing lenses Exercise total control with creative modes like Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual Auto/Manual Focus Automatic pop-up flash provides just the right amount of illumination when necessary and remains out of the way (closed) when not PictBridge compatible Dimensions 5 x 3.7 x 2.6 inch / 15.75 ounces body only Rechargeable Li-ion battery Pack BLM-1/3x CR123A with LBH-1 PC and Mac
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| Customer Reviews: Read 121 more reviews...
 A digital camera for the traditional photographer November 5, 2005
David Bradford (Cary, NC USA)
244 out of 258 found this review helpful
I should preface this review by saying I'm a bit of a Luddite: I hang on to the traditional tools in my primary fields of interest--music (both listening and performing) and photography. To me the Nikon F2 (well, OK, I'll stretch my endorsement to something as technically advanced as the aperture-priority F3) are the quintessential cameras: rugged, natural in the hand, and immune to the demons that possess electronic devices.
Then four years ago, my father gave me my first digital camera, a Minolta. I was initially skeptical, but I quickly came to enjoy the convenience of the camera. Then, when I paired with it the right printer (an Epson Photo R-800), I became a confirmed user, if not yet a fan. Based on that camera-printer combination (with the addition of a scanner for the conversion of my B&W negatives), I packed up my darkroom and offered it to the local public schools.
But even though I was happy with the print quality of the digital setup, I still missed the heft and the old SLRs, and I lamented the loss of control they offered me.
Then, based on fairly extensive reading of advance reviews, I decided to buy the Olympus E-500.
This camera is a revelation to me. I can't compare it to its competitors (none of which I've used extensively), but I can say that this camera fully reconciles me to digital photography. It gives me that reassuring "whump" when I press the shutter (rather than that puny "snick"), offers me total control in manual mode, allows the flexibilty of interchangable lenses, and--most importantly--seems to be to have as its paradigm (sorry for the word choice) the ways of a photographer trained on manual film cameras (rather than catering the "point and shoot" audience).
The menus are easily mastered, the features (including filters in B&W mode!) are remarkable, the battery lasts for hours of heavy shooting, and the images--even with the equivalent of a 300MM focal length--are stunning.
This is a remarkable camera at a very reasonable price.
Many blame the hardware but its almost ALWAYS the user. DSLR market just got competitive. November 7, 2005
Jamshed J. Khan (Herndon, VA United States)
200 out of 208 found this review helpful
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..
Excellent Value and Wonderful Features January 21, 2006
AJS (Denver, CO)
105 out of 107 found this review helpful
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!
Olympus E500 the perfect DSLR entry level. October 27, 2005
D. W. Robinson (Denver, CO)
66 out of 68 found this review helpful
I have previously owned several different long zoom compact consumer cameras. I wanted to upgrade to higher quality images though, and the E500 with the two lens kit came in at the perfect price and weight point for me. I don't want anything so heavy that it is a burden to haul around, and the two lens kit gives me 35mm equivalent range of 28mm to 300mm. I immediatly fell in love with this camera, and can hardly put it down. It is simple enought for a beginner, but has advanced features that will make a pro happy. (I used to be a pro)-
The most important thing when buying a camera is how it "fits you", but the E-500 has great ergonomics and speed, is easy to learn and provides outstanding quality. You can see some photos that I took on my very first day out with this camera, at
http://www.pbase.com/brdavid/olympus_e500_day_1
If there is any knock at all, it is that the kit zoom lenses perform better at least one F-stop down from wide open. But that isn't really a knock, as that is true of most lenses, especially the lower prices ones.
 An entry level professional camera April 8, 2006
George Hooper
45 out of 49 found this review helpful
Greetings,
Welcome to Professional Digital Photography at a reasonable entry level price. The Olympus E-500 combined with the FL-50 flash has all the features that anyone, pro or amateur, would want per a high quality digital SLR. The only feature missing is a Titanium housing, but at this price, you could buy six E-500s before getting into the Titanium market per Digital SLRs.
Olympus has done their homework and provided fast setups for most picture situations one would come across. So point and shoot, and the camera will do the rest. It is really hard to take a bad picture with this setup! But they didn't stop there. Olympus also allows you to modify the quick setups manually per your creative desires per the moment. So use the quick setups to get on target, then modify it per your special needs.
The camera comes with the lower end Zuikor 14-45mm and 40-150mm lenses. Not as good as the high-end Zuikor ED lenses, but much better than any point-n-shoot camera. I keep an Olympus SP-350 in the car, which comes in handy when you rub fenders with another car! It is also an 8 MegaPixel camera, but take the same pic with the SP-350 and the E-500, and the quality is definitely noticeable.
The good news. The E-500 is a quality professional camera at a great price.
The bad news. The accessories cost more than the camera! You can spend $6,000 if you want to goto a 300mm Zuikor ED lens (600mm equivalent per a 35mm film camera). Even the basics are overpriced per Flash Brackets and Sync Cords.
But if you are looking to find a camera to match your creative talent, it is well worth considering the Olympus E-500.
Who am I? I was a wedding photographer for years using Nikons, Hasselblads, and Mamiyas. I also worked with Rocky Gunn in California, considered at the time to be one of the top ten wedding photographers in the USA. Time and decades have passed, and I've moved on to other more profitable endeavors. Still my heart was in still photography. And for all my years of experience, I'm hard pressed to find a major flaw with the E-500. So check it out and decide for yourself.
Best Regards,
George
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