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Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3

Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Bump to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Released October 2005
  • Additionally referred to as EVOLT E-500
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-510
Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-P2
  • Later Model is Olympus E-P5
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Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are built by Olympus. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and E-P3 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-500 was released 6 years earlier than the E-P3 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-500 scores versus the E-P3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Olympus E-P3

 E-500 E-P3 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-500

 E-P3 E-500 
RevealedAugust 2011October 2005Newer by 70 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution614k215kCrisper display (+399k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Olympus E-P3

 E-500 E-P3 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-500 features outer 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) and the Olympus E-P3 has dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") having a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the E-500 and the E-P3.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-500 and E-P3 is 70 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The picture here should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-500 and E-P3.

All in all, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus E-P3 to produce extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-500 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-500 Portrait photography advice
Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography advice
48
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography info
Olympus E-P3 Street photography info
56
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (479g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
low max ISO (400)
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
provides touch focus
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-P3 Sports photography highlights
37
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography info
Olympus E-P3 Travel photography info
52
lighter than others in class (479g)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low megapixels (8MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
60
provides touch focus
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography factors
43
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
low max ISO (400)
lack of Time Lapse function
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 Vlogging advice
Olympus E-P3 Vlogging advice
9
no video
35
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
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Olympus E-500 vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Olympus E-P3
 Olympus E-500Olympus PEN E-P3
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-500 Olympus PEN E-P3
Also called EVOLT E-500 -
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2005-10-21 2011-08-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - TruePic VI
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 8MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 3264 x 2448 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 400 12800
Highest boosted ISO 1600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 3 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 215k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
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 rate 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 200)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 479g (1.06 pounds) 369g (0.81 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 51
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.1
DXO Low light score not tested 536
Other
Battery life - 330 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $600 $0