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

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