Leica Digilux 3 vs Olympus E-500
65 Imaging
41 Features
38 Overall
39


70 Imaging
41 Features
34 Overall
38
Leica Digilux 3 vs Olympus E-500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
- Released September 2006
(Full Review)
- 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 400 (Push to 1600)
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
- Launched October 2005
- Other Name is EVOLT E-500
- Updated by Olympus E-510

Leica Digilux 3 vs Olympus E-500 Overview
On this page, we will be looking at the Leica Digilux 3 versus Olympus E-500, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Leica and Olympus. The image resolution of the Digilux 3 (7MP) and the E-500 (8MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

The Digilux 3 was unveiled 11 months after the E-500 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before going right into a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the Digilux 3 grades vs the E-500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Olympus E-500 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica Digilux 3 & Olympus E-500. The full galleries are viewable at Leica Digilux 3 Gallery & Olympus E-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica Digilux 3 over the Olympus E-500
Digilux 3 | E-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2006 | ![]() | October 2005 | More modern by 11 months |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Leica Digilux 3
E-500 | Digilux 3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 215k | ![]() | 207k | Crisper screen (+8k dot) |
Common features in the Leica Digilux 3 and Olympus E-500
Digilux 3 | E-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 2.5" | ![]() | 2.5" | Equal screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Leica Digilux 3 vs Olympus E-500 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Leica Digilux 3 provides external dimensions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") having a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) while the Olympus E-500 has specifications of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs).
Compare the Leica Digilux 3 versus Olympus E-500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the Digilux 3 vs the E-500.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Digilux 3 and E-500 is 65 and 70 respectively.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Olympus E-500 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by viewing specifications. The pic here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Digilux 3 and E-500.
To sum up, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Olympus E-500 to render greater detail having an extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern Digilux 3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Olympus E-500 Specifications
Leica Digilux 3 | Olympus E-500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Leica | Olympus |
Model type | Leica Digilux 3 | Olympus E-500 |
Otherwise known as | - | EVOLT E-500 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2006-09-14 | 2005-10-21 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 7 megapixel | 8 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Max resolution | 3136 x 2352 | 3264 x 2448 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 400 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 45 | 45 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.5 inch | 2.5 inch |
Resolution of screen | 207 thousand dot | 215 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.47x | 0.45x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | B+s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/160s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Max video resolution | None | None |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 606g (1.34 lbs) | 479g (1.06 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") | 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/MMC card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $1,999 | $600 |