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Olympus E-500 vs Olympus XZ-1

Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Olympus XZ-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus XZ-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Raise to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Launched October 2005
  • Alternative Name is EVOLT E-500
  • Successor is Olympus E-510
Olympus XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Launched January 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus XZ-1 Overview

Following is a complete assessment of the Olympus E-500 and Olympus XZ-1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are produced by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-500 (8MP) and the XZ-1 (10MP) is pretty similar but the E-500 (Four Thirds) and XZ-1 (1/1.63") come with different sensor sizing.

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The E-500 was announced 6 years prior to the XZ-1 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus XZ-1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-500 grades against the XZ-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 E-500 XZ-1 

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

 XZ-1 E-500 
LaunchedJanuary 2011October 2005More modern by 64 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution614k215kSharper screen (+399k dot)

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

 E-500 XZ-1 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus XZ-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you should take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-500 offers exterior 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 XZ-1 has specifications of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-500 and Olympus XZ-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the E-500 versus the XZ-1.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus XZ-1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-500 and XZ-1 is 70 and 88 respectively.

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

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus XZ-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes only by going over specifications. The image below might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-500 and XZ-1.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-500 using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Olympus XZ-1 will offer more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged E-500 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

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

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

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-500
Portrait photography with Olympus XZ-1
48
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (8MP)
45
has manual focus
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-500
Street photography with Olympus XZ-1
56
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than average (479g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/1.63")
heavier than competitors in class (275 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 Sports photography advice
Olympus XZ-1 Sports photography advice
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
38
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
great battery (320 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography details
Olympus XZ-1 Travel photography details
52
lighter than average (479 grams)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (8MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
62
great battery (320 CIPA)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (275g)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography factors
Olympus XZ-1 Landscape photography factors
43
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
low maximum ISO (400)
no Time Lapse mode
54
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
great battery (320 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 Vlogging factors
Olympus XZ-1 Vlogging factors
9
no video shooting
31
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (275 grams)
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Olympus E-500 vs Olympus XZ-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Olympus XZ-1
 Olympus E-500Olympus XZ-1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-500 Olympus XZ-1
Also referred to as EVOLT E-500 -
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2005-10-21 2011-01-26
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic V
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3264 x 2448 3664 x 2752
Highest native ISO 400 6400
Highest boosted ISO 1600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 215 thousand dot 614 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - OLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 8.60 m (ISO 800)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 479 grams (1.06 lb) 275 grams (0.61 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 34
DXO Color Depth score not tested 18.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.4
DXO Low light score not tested 117
Other
Battery life - 320 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $600 $567