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Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-500

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Olympus E-500 front
Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-500 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Introduced July 2020
Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Raise to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Released October 2005
  • Also referred to as EVOLT E-500
  • New Model is Olympus E-510
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Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-500 Overview

The following is a complete review of the Nikon Z5 and Olympus E-500, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Nikon and Olympus. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and E-500 (8MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and E-500 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor sizes.

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The Z5 was introduced 14 years after the E-500 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick summation of how the Z5 matches up versus the E-500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Olympus E-500

 Z5 E-500 
ReleasedJuly 2020October 2005Newer by 180 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1040k215kSharper screen (+825k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Nikon Z5

 E-500 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Olympus E-500

 Z5 E-500 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z5 has external dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Olympus E-500 has measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z5 and Olympus E-500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the Z5 compared to the E-500.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and E-500 is 62 and 70 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-500 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching specifications. The picture below may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z5 and E-500.

To sum up, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The Z5 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Nikon Z5 will result in more detail using its extra 16MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The more modern Z5 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-500 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography features
Olympus E-500 Portrait photography features
85
you can focus manually
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
48
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (8MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography information
Olympus E-500 Street photography information
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features focus by touch
weather proof
good high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competitors in class (675 grams)
56
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (479 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-500 as a Sports photography camera
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proof
great battery life (470 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (4.5 fps)
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-500 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery life (470 per charge)
weather proof
has bluetooth
features focus by touch
good resolution (24 megapixels)
heavier than competitors in class (675g)
display isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than competition (479 grams)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-500 Landscape photography features
86
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
great battery life (470 per charge)
has dual storage slots
43
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
low maximum ISO (400)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-500 Vlogging highlights
34
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (675 grams)
9
no video shooting
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Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Olympus E-500
 Nikon Z5Olympus E-500
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Z5 Olympus E-500
Other name - EVOLT E-500
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2020-07-20 2005-10-21
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 8 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 6016 x 4016 3264 x 2448
Highest native ISO 51200 400
Highest boosted ISO 102400 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 273 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 15 45
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 215 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.45x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.5fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 grams (1.49 pounds) 479 grams (1.06 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 470 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL15c -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Storage slots 2 One
Cost at launch $1,399 $600