Announced in September 2005, the E-500 was the third E-Series digital SLR
from Olympus; the fourth, the E-330 was announced in January 2006. The E-500
offers 8 Mpixel resolution and employs a 'FourThirds' mount which can accommodate
an increasing range of lenses; these include 15 Zuiko Digital models, several
of which will be reviewed on Cameralabs in the near future.
Unlike the previous E-300 and the latest E-330 models though,
the E-500 is a conventionally-styled digital SLR with a control layout which
closely resembles Canon's EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT. Indeed, sporting the
same resolution and roughly the same dimensions, this is clearly the model
Olympus sees as its closest rival.
While the Canon remains one of the best budget digital SLRs around, the E-500
has several advantages including a unique anti-dust system which actually
shakes foreign particles from the sensor's filter every time the camera powers-up.
In addition to this it boasts a large, detailed 2.5in monitor, an impressive
degree of control for a budget model and a great value twin lens bundle.
So far so good, but the budget digital SLR market is currently
one of the most competitive around with some superb cameras fighting it out.
Does the E-500 have what it takes to compete? Read on in our full review.
Please visit our Budget DSLR Buyer's Guide for an update of the best buys around right now.
UPDATE: Also see our Olympus E-400, Olympus E-410 and Olympus E-510 reviews
