Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-510
70 Imaging
41 Features
34 Overall
38


69 Imaging
44 Features
42 Overall
43
Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-510 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 400 (Bump to 1600)
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
- Revealed October 2005
- Additionally referred to as EVOLT E-500
- Updated by Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
- Announced November 2007
- Alternate Name is EVOLT E-510
- Superseded the Olympus E-500
- Newer Model is Olympus E-520

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-510 Overview
Its time to look much closer at the Olympus E-500 versus Olympus E-510, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are created by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-500 (8MP) and the E-510 (10MP) is relatively close and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

The E-500 was unveiled 3 years before the E-510 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before going through a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-500 matches up versus the E-510 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-510 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-500 and Olympus E-510. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-500 Gallery and Olympus E-510 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Olympus E-510
E-500 | E-510 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Olympus E-500
E-510 | E-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | November 2007 | ![]() | October 2005 | Newer by 25 months |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 215k | Sharper screen (+15k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Olympus E-510
E-500 | E-510 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 2.5" | ![]() | 2.5" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-510 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-500 enjoys outside measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-510 has specifications of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-500 versus Olympus E-510 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E-500 vs the E-510.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-500 and E-510 is 70 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-510 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specs. The pic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-500 and E-510.
All in all, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Olympus E-510 to result in extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged E-500 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-510 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-510 Specifications
Olympus E-500 | Olympus E-510 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Olympus |
Model | Olympus E-500 | Olympus E-510 |
Otherwise known as | EVOLT E-500 | EVOLT E-510 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2005-10-21 | 2007-11-23 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
Max resolution | 3264 x 2448 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 400 | 1600 |
Max enhanced ISO | 1600 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 45 | 45 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5" | 2.5" |
Resolution of screen | 215k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.45x | 0.46x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 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 synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Max video resolution | None | None |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 479g (1.06 lb) | 490g (1.08 lb) |
Dimensions | 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") | 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 52 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 10.0 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 442 |
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), xD Picture Card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $600 | $550 |