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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-500

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus E-500 front
Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-500 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Revealed November 2003
  • Successor is Olympus E-3
Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Boost to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Released October 2005
  • Additionally Known as EVOLT E-500
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-510
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-500 Overview

Here is a in-depth review of the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-500, former being a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are sold by Olympus. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and E-500 (8MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-1 was brought out 23 months prior to the E-500 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the E-1 grades against the E-500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus E-500

 E-1 E-500 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Olympus E-1

 E-500 E-1 
ReleasedOctober 2005November 2003Fresher by 23 months
Screen sizing2.5"1.8"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution215k134kClearer screen (+81k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-500

 E-1 E-500 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-1 has external dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Olympus E-500 has sizing of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-1 vs the E-500.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-1 and E-500 is 59 and 70 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The visual below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-1 and E-500.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus E-500 to render greater detail having its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older E-1 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-500 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no liveview
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
48
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography info
Olympus E-500 Street photography info
57
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
lighter than competition in class (735 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
56
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (479g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
low max ISO (400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography features
Olympus E-500 Sports photography features
40
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (5MP)
37
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-500 as a Travel photography camera
47
lighter than competition in class (735g)
weather sealing
doesn't have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than competitors in class (479 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (8MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-500 Landscape photography info
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
tiny screen (1.8 inch)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (5MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
43
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no liveview
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
low max ISO (400)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging information
Olympus E-500 Vlogging information
9
no video shooting
9
no video
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-500
 Olympus E-1Olympus E-500
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-1 Olympus E-500
Otherwise known as - EVOLT E-500
Class Pro DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2003-11-29 2005-10-21
Body design Large SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 8 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 2560 x 1920 3264 x 2448
Maximum native ISO 3200 400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 3
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 45
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 1.8 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 134 thousand dot 215 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.45x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Mic 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 735 grams (1.62 pounds) 479 grams (1.06 pounds)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 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 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $1,700 $600