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Olympus Evolt E-500
The extreme makeover here, the Evolt E-500 takes the 8MP imaging capability of the innovative E-300 model—but swaps a conventional exterior for the E-300's controversial flat-top design. And, it adds more performance.
Ease of use: Light and small—almost as petite as the Pentax *ist DS2— but with well-balanced heft, maybe due to the die-cast aluminum inside. Very nice (almost sticky) grip, with well-placed shutter button and input dial. Control layout of many buttons is jumbled. The 2.5-inch LCD is exceptionally easy to see in daylight and has a wide viewing angle—important, as it doubles as the control panel—and you can switch info from simple to detailed. AF speed is slow for this group, and it gives up below EV 1. Too many controls—like flash-exposure comp—require delving into menus, making it the most confusing menu system of the group. Viewfinder magnification has been improved, though, and the camera has niceties such as a 20-thumbnail playback screen. Rank: 5
Control: The E-500 might be considered the control freak of the bunch: RGB histograms plus an integrated histogram, numerous color settings (including Kelvin temperature and a two-axis color balance adjustment), meter options galore (such as high-key/low-key biasing and a narrow-angle spotmeter) by way of the 49-segment pattern, depth-of-field preview, and plenty more. The E-500 continues the Olympus feature of a self-cleaning CCD—an idea more camera makers should adopt. Rank: 1
System flexibility: While Olympus continues to add lenses for its Four Thirds System cameras, and independent Sigma also makes lenses in the Olympus mount, this still has the smallest optical array in DSLR systems. Accessory electronic flash units are also somewhat behind the curve. Rank: 5
Quibbles: The unusual design of the older E-300 let you use the built-in flash and a shoe-mount unit simultaneously. No can do with this one's conventional pop-up.
Surprises: Among numerous exposure controls is shading compensation, which adds brightness to the picture's edge to make up for wide-angle light falloff!
Best for: Vacation, family, and fun shooting. But the high resolution and image controls allow serious applications, and the 2X 35mm lens factor makes it attractive for long tele work, such as wildlife.
Bottom line: An impressive, sharp-shooting camera, and the 8MP DSLR bargain, but it could use more depth on the bench.
Test results: Resolution: Excellent (1720Vx1750Hx 1615D lines). Color accuracy: Extremely High (Avg. Delta E: 8.57). Noise: Very Low at ISO 100, Low at ISO 200, Moderately Low at ISO 400–800, Moderate at ISO 1600. Image quality: Extremely High at ISO 100–800; Very High at ISO 1600. AF Speed: EV 12: 0.44 sec; EV 10: 0.46 sec; EV 8: 0.66 sec; EV 6: 0.85 sec; EV 4: 0.99 sec; EV 2: 1.07 sec; EV 1: 1.22 sec. Price: $620 body only; $720 with 14–45mm f/3.5–5.6 Zuiko EZ lens. CIPA battery rating: 400 shots. Size/weight: 5x3.7x2.6 in., 1.2 oz with battery. Cards: CompactFlash Type I and II, xD-Picture. Info: www.olympusamerica.com; 888-553-4448.
Image quality: Skin tones were just slightly warm, and higher contrast overall helped reduce details in hot areas of face. High color saturation, but exposure latitude was also narrower than that of the other four cameras, and test scene showed slightly lower color accuracy. Excellent sharpness, second only to Rebel XT, and very good shadow, midtone, and highlight detail. Good for making prints up to 12x16 inches at 200 ppi. Rank: 2
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