Clicky

Nikon D850 vs Olympus E-500

Portability
54
Imaging
78
Features
87
Overall
81
Nikon D850 front
 
Olympus E-500 front
Portability
70
Imaging
42
Features
34
Overall
38

Nikon D850 vs Olympus E-500 Key Specs

Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Introduced August 2017
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D810
Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Raise to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Announced October 2005
  • Also referred to as EVOLT E-500
  • Successor is Olympus E-510
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Nikon D850 vs Olympus E-500 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Nikon D850 and Olympus E-500, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the D850 (46MP) and E-500 (8MP) and the D850 (Full frame) and E-500 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor size.

Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

The D850 was launched 12 years after the E-500 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the D850 matches up vs the E-500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Olympus E-500

 D850 E-500 
AnnouncedAugust 2017October 2005More modern by 145 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution2359k215kClearer display (+2144k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Nikon D850

 E-500 D850 

Common features in the Nikon D850 and Olympus E-500

 D850 E-500 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon D850 vs Olympus E-500 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D850 enjoys external dimensions of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") and a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-500 has sizing of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D850 and Olympus E-500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the D850 versus the E-500.

Nikon D850 vs Olympus E-500 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D850 and E-500 is 54 and 70 respectively.

Nikon D850 vs Olympus E-500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D850 vs Olympus E-500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes only by researching technical specs. The pic underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D850 and E-500.

As you have seen, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The D850 featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Nikon D850 will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 38 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more recent D850 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D850 vs Olympus E-500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D850 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D850 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D850 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-500 Portrait photography info
86
focusing manually
MP count fantastic (46MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
49
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (8MP)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D850
Street photography with Olympus E-500
66
screen tilts up and down
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
supports touch to focus
weather proof
great ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (1,015g)
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (479g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
max ISO too low (400)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Sports Comparison

Nikon D850 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-500 Sports photography advice
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
MP count fantastic (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery pack (1,840 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
no image stabilization
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Nikon D850 Travel photography highlights
Olympus E-500 Travel photography highlights
65
good battery pack (1,840 per charge)
weather proof
has bluetooth
supports touch to focus
MP count fantastic (46 megapixels)
more heavy than competition in class (1,015 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than competitors (479g)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D850 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-500 Landscape photography highlights
82
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
MP count fantastic (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
good battery pack (1,840 shots)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
43
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
max ISO too low (400)
does not have Timelapse function
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D850 Vlogging info
Olympus E-500 Vlogging info
30
touch screen
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (1,015 grams)
9
can't shoot video
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Nikon D850 vs Olympus E-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D850 and Olympus E-500
 Nikon D850Olympus E-500
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon D850 Olympus E-500
Also called - EVOLT E-500
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2017-08-24 2005-10-21
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 8MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 8256 x 5504 3264 x 2448
Maximum native ISO 25600 400
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 1600
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 153 3
Cross type focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 309 45
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 2,359k dot 215k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.75x 0.45x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1015g (2.24 pounds) 479g (1.06 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 100 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 26.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2660 not tested
Other
Battery life 1840 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL15a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Storage slots 2 One
Retail pricing $2,997 $600