Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500
58 Imaging
48 Features
76 Overall
59
![Olympus E-5 front Olympus E-5 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-E-5/Olympus-E-5-front.jpg)
![Olympus E-500 front Olympus E-500 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Olympus-E-500.jpg)
70 Imaging
42 Features
34 Overall
38
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
- Released February 2011
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
- 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- 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
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 Overview
In this write-up, we are contrasting the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-500, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are offered by Olympus. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and E-500 (8MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
The E-5 was brought out 5 years after the E-500 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting through a full comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-5 scores vs the E-500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-500. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-5 Gallery and Olympus E-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Olympus E-500
E-5 | E-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2011 | ![]() | October 2005 | Newer by 65 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 215k | Clearer display (+705k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Olympus E-5
E-500 | E-5 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-500
E-5 | E-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch display |
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-5 comes with physical measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst 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-5 and Olympus E-500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-5 vs the E-500.
![Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 size comparison Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-5-vs-Olympus-E-500-size-comparison.jpg)
Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and E-500 is 58 and 70 respectively.
![Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-5-vs-Olympus-E-500-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The picture here may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and E-500.
As you have seen, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus E-5 to give greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher E-5 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.
![Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 sensor size comparison Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-E-5-vs-Olympus-E-500-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-5-vs-Olympus-E-500-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-500 Specifications
Olympus E-5 | Olympus E-500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus E-5 | Olympus E-500 |
Also called as | - | EVOLT E-500 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2011-02-03 | 2005-10-21 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic V+ | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 3264 x 2448 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 400 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 3 |
Cross type focus points | 11 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 45 | 45 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.5" |
Display resolution | 920 thousand dots | 215 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal transmissive LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | 0.45x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 18.00 m (at ISO 200) | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 800g (1.76 lb) | 479g (1.06 lb) |
Dimensions | 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 56 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.6 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.5 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 519 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 870 images | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | BLM-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card |
Card slots | Two | 1 |
Price at release | $1,700 | $600 |