E-500 Review

[ccmc1448]

After having such a good experince with my E-10, I decided to get the added focal length availability as well as the 8 mps that the E-500 offered. In short, no regrets.
I bought this in Dec. 2005 and it too has given me no problems. Though smaller and lighter than the E-10, it still fits my hand well and the controls are readily accessible. Some say the view finder is too small but I have found that, with use, I've become accustomed to it and have not found it any trouble. Even in actiion shots (low flying ultra-lights some 75 feet away) I was comfortable and got some good panned photos.
The kit lenses, though not exceptionally expensive, are certainly more than adequate for anytyhing I have needed. Their quality seems to be as good as anything you would need (maybe with the exception of some demanding pros making their living with their equipment).
Olympus equipment is still giving the heavy weights a good run for the money and producing quality photos.
Charlie

[googlit]

Check out the usage stats on this camera at flickr.

[jb683]

I am enjoying my E-500, and I feel the same. It is a great camera, that gives great photographs

[Jeanniesdigital]

I purchased my Olympus evolt-500 about a year ago. It has been my first experience with a digital SLR. Up until then I had 35 mm film or point and shoot. It has been pretty easy to follow to adjust the more advanced settings. I have noticed that most people I know in the photography field have either a Canon or Nikon. I was a bit nervous purchasing the Olympus due to this fact. But, I have been satisfied with the product, especially for the price that it cost. I believe in time I will purchace a more advanced camera, but for the beginner digital SLR user it is a must.

[Rylek]

I just got my E-500 about 4 weeks ago. First SLR ever purchased. Best purchase I have made to date. I just need to get a good lense for some macro photography now is all.

[jb683]

Originally Posted by Rylek

I just got my E-500 about 4 weeks ago. First SLR ever purchased. Best purchase I have made to date. I just need to get a good lense for some macro photography now is all.

A good 50mm Zukio 4/3 macro lens will set you back about $425. All of this camera stuff is high dollar. I too have a E-500 and it is my second camera. The first was a E-300. It was a great camera too. Had it about a year, then we were ripped off, so I had a chance to upgrade. Hang in there, that E-500 will do some great work.

[kseimer]

Just bought the E-500 on a trip to Washington DC. Have a Canon Rebel Eos300 also. I love the E-500, its so easy to see the Menu and change the settings. Puts out some awesome photos. I recommend this Camera to anyone starting out. Bought this because my Dad had an OM-10 years ago,and the price was right.

[nsjensen]

Now that I bought the E500, i am finding that perhaps this is a difficult camera to find a reasonable lens? Anyone else?

Thanks. Nicole

[eydryan]

this camera is a tank. believe me, i've shot about 30000 frames so far with it and besides the legacy grip ungluing problem it's built like a tank. i've got it wet, sandy, dropped it, took it from freezing cold to soaring heat and it performs admirably.. i've used it in almost any condition (except extreme of course) in both personal and professional work, from sunny to pitch black concerts and i can tell you it performs. in the dark just set it to 1600, 1/10 and f/3.5 (or any minimum) and you can shoot pretty much anywhere. just make sure you have a steady hand and you give it some noise reduction at home.

as for the lens, besides the kit which gives even more expensive canon lenses a run for their money, you can get other lenses. but fisheye is expensive everywhere and indeed brighter lenses are more expensive. it;s due to the 4/3 system. anyway, i for one use the kit and really see no necessity for anything more... i'll buy the 35mm macro lens this summer which is quite cheap and performs magic, and is as close to a prime as possible.

anyway most important detail about it which differentiates it from canon or nikon is that it's a pretty high-tech camera with pro functions which has a learning curve. so while you can pick up a canon and shoot off the shelf it's a lot better to take a little while to get used with the oly. having said that, i bought this camera to take photos at a local tv station behind the scenes news thing and i can tell you that it's pretty intuitive... but it needs a bit of work to get it right.

anyway, there is no aspect of this camera that has disappointed me. buy an extra battery, an xd memory card and a slave flash and it's all you need for basic photo requirements. of course specialized things need specialized gear but that costs and it's better to rent it...

so those who have one love it, and those who don't get one, because it's a legend... i have NEVER heard of anyone complaining of this camera. and to those complaining of poor low-light performance it's all about knowing where to focus. find a good contrasty spot on the subject and focus is almost as quick as in normal light

[nsjensen]

Where did you find a macro lens that was reasonable?

i'll buy the 35mm macro lens this summer which is quite cheap and performs magic, and is as close to a prime as possible

That is what I am interested in. Thanks for the positive shot in the arm. It is hard to choose a camera, especially when so many praise canon/nikon so much. I bought this to get into the art of it. Needed the availability of two lens in kit for great price.