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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-500

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Olympus E-300 front
 
Olympus E-500 front
Portability
70
Imaging
42
Features
34
Overall
38

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-500 Key Specs

Olympus E-300
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Increase to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
  • Released January 2005
  • Alternate Name is EVOLT E-300
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-330
Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Expand to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Launched October 2005
  • Alternate Name is EVOLT E-500
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-510
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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-500 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-300 and Olympus E-500, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both designed by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-300 (8MP) and the E-500 (8MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-300 was introduced 9 months before the E-500 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-300 matches up vs the E-500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Olympus E-500

 E-300 E-500 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Olympus E-300

 E-500 E-300 
LaunchedOctober 2005January 2005Fresher by 9 months
Screen dimension2.5"1.8"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution215k134kCrisper screen (+81k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Olympus E-500

 E-300 E-500 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-300 features outer dimensions of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) and the Olympus E-500 has dimensions 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-300 and Olympus E-500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-300 vs the E-500.

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-300 and E-500 is 67 and 70 respectively.

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking specs. The visual here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-300 and E-500.

All in all, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels and you can expect similar quality of files but you should consider the age of the products into consideration. The older E-300 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-500 as a Portrait photography camera
48
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
low megapixels (8MP)
49
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
sensor resolution not great (8 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-300 Street photography information
Olympus E-500 Street photography information
51
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
maximum ISO low (400)
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (479 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-300
Sports photography with Olympus E-500
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-300 Travel photography details
Olympus E-500 Travel photography details
45
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (8MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than average in class (479g)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-300 Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-500 Landscape photography advice
43
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
small screen (1.8")
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
maximum ISO low (400)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
43
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
low maximum ISO (400)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-500 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
9
no video
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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-300 and Olympus E-500
 Olympus E-300Olympus E-500
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-300 Olympus E-500
Also called EVOLT E-300 EVOLT E-500
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2005-01-10 2005-10-21
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 8 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Full resolution 3264 x 2448 3264 x 2448
Max native ISO 400 400
Max boosted ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 3
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 45
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 1.8 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 134k dot 215k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.45x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
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 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 624 gr (1.38 pounds) 479 gr (1.06 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 85 x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $800 $600