Olympus E-500 Four Thirds DSLR Camera Body, Black {8MP}

Olympus E-500: a 8MP Four Thirds DSLR Built for Simplicity

The E-500 pairs a 8.0MP Four Thirds CCD with a mid-size SLR body weighing just 479 g, making it one of the lighter DSLR options from its era for photographers who want an optical viewfinder without lugging around a full-frame rig. The 2x focal length multiplier means your glass reaches further, a real asset for anyone shooting wildlife or sports on a budget, though the 3-point AF system and 2.5 fps burst rate keep expectations grounded than aggressive.

Exposure control here is straightforward and complete: shutter speeds run from 60 sec to 1/4000 sec, exposure compensation stretches to ±5 EV in your choice of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV steps, and both aperture and shutter priority modes are on hand for photographers who want to dial in their own look. The pop-up flash reaches a guide number of 13 m at ISO 100, backed by Auto FP and manual flash modes plus support for external Olympus hot-shoe flashes when you need more reach.

Storage flexibility comes from dual support for Compact Flash (Type I or II) and xD Picture Card, and the 2.5-inch, 215,000-dot LCD gives a serviceable view for image review even without live view. An optical pentaprism viewfinder with 95% coverage keeps the shooting experience traditional and direct. For a DSLR built around fundamentals than feature bloat, the E-500 still holds its own as a lesson in doing the basics with intent.

Who It's For

Photographers moving up from a point-and-shoot into their first DSLR will appreciate the E-500's straightforward aperture and shutter priority controls paired with an optical pentaprism viewfinder, giving a genuine manual shooting education without a steep learning curve. Travel photographers benefit from the compact 479 g body and 130 x 95 x 66 mm footprint, easy to carry for a full day of walking. Anyone shooting in variable light will find the ISO range from 100 to 1600 (with boost) alongside ±5 EV exposure compensation useful for correcting tricky exposures on the fly. Telephoto shooters, including casual wildlife and sports enthusiasts, gain extra reach from the 2x focal length multiplier inherent to the Four Thirds mount.

Key Features

• 8.0MP Four Thirds CCD sensor with 3MP to VGA resolution options
• 3-point AF system with manual focus via lens focus-by-wire
• 2.5 fps burst rate with 4-frame RAW buffer
• Shutter speeds 60 sec to 1/4000 sec with ±5 EV exposure compensation
• Pop-up flash with guide number 13 m plus external Olympus hot-shoe support
• 2.5-inch 215,000-dot LCD with optical pentaprism 95% coverage viewfinder
• Dual Compact Flash and xD Picture Card storage
• 479 g mid-size SLR body with 2x focal length multiplier

FAQ

What's the actual burst rate on the E-500, and how many frames can you really grab?

2.5 fps sustained. You'll get 4 RAW frames before the buffer fills, unlimited JPEGs if your card is fast enough. That's enough for controlled shooting, not machine-gun work.

Does the E-500 have image stabilization?

No. Stabilization lives in the lens lineup, not the body. You'll rely on shutter speed and Four Thirds glass choices to manage motion blur.

How does the 2x focal length multiplier actually work in practice?

Every lens reaches twice its stated focal length in 35mm terms. A 50mm becomes 100mm. The trade-off is you lose the wide-angle perspective you'd get on full-frame, but you gain reach for wildlife and sports without buying expensive telephoto glass.

Can you use external flashes with the E-500?

Yes. The Olympus hot-shoe accepts external flashes, and the body supports Auto FP and Manual flash modes. The pop-up flash maxes at guide number 13 m at ISO 100, fine for fill-light work but limited for distance.

What storage options does this camera use?

Compact Flash Type I or II, and xD Picture Card. Dual-card support was useful before SD cards dominated, though neither format is practical today without archival hardware.

Is there live view or video recording on the E-500?

Neither. This is a pure optical viewfinder DSLR built for traditional shooting. No video, no live view, no tethering options.

What's the viewfinder experience like?

Optical pentaprism with 95% coverage and 0.9x magnification (0.45x in 35mm equiv.). Bright and direct, though the smaller Four Thirds sensor means a less expansive view than a full-frame prism.