The battery life was surprisingly good. I don't know if my experience was a fluke, but I managed to get over 1,600 shots on a single charge, and over 400 of those shots were with flash. That's impressive! I should clarify that on the first charge, I got only 350 shots. But then first charges on all rechargeable batteries don't last that long. So after I drained the battery that first time and recharged it, the second charge lasted for over 1,600 photographs. And when the camera refused to take more shots because of the depleted battery, I turned it off, then back on, and squeezed more shots. I did this four times, and got an additional 30 shots with a battery that was supposed to be dead. Again, I don't know if my experience was the norm, but if so, this would be a fantastic selling point. Yet I don't see battery life mentioned anywhere in the Olympus literature or on their website.
I tried out the Olympus Master software included with the camera, and was less than impressed with its features. I stuck with Adobe Bridge and Photoshop for post-processing my photos thereafter. Incidentally, I wouldn't advise you to download the photos from the camera to your computer by connecting the two with a USB cable. (This is true for just about any recent DSLR, by the way.) It'll take forever, particularly if you shoot in RAW format. Because camera manufacturers haven't updated their USB connectivity hardware, the most you'll get is the equivalent of USB 1.1 speed. Get a card reader and use that instead. The speeds will be equivalent to USB 2.0, and you'll be happy.
I was disappointed to find that the camera's ISO range only went from 100-400 natively. Yes, the sensitivity can be boosted up to 1600 in whole steps or 1/3 steps, but still, given that other cameras in its class (such as the Nikon D50 and Canon Rebel XT) offer native ISO up to 1600, the E-500 should do so as well. I should note that two noise reduction features are included on the camera. They are useful when using higher ISO settings. One is a noise filter that can be coupled with the ISO boost and works automatically, and another is a noise reduction feature that can be turned on and off as needed, regardless of the ISO setting. Although the noise filter did a good job at 400 and 800 ISO, it couldn't help much at 1600. The noise reduction feature also wasn't very helpful unless one used it with long exposures. Time and time again, as I used the E-500, I found myself wishing for better low-light capability. I tend to take lots of shots in low light conditions, and I prefer not to use the flash, because it's either disruptive or annoying. When I took photos of people, I found my friends covering their eyes or squinting. And of course, it's not practical or desired to use the flash when doing street photography at night. Flash would ruin a neon sign, and would shed a harsh light on details best lit by ambient light. Maybe I'm just spoiled in wanting to do handheld night or low-light photography, but those are my expectations.
Article comments
1 - jim
I've been shooting the E-500 since last June both professionally and personally, and I have to say I adore this camera. And then when I started buying Olympus's ED lenses to bolt on, I fell in love all over again, the image quality went from superb to stellar, in my opinion comprable to the Canons and Nikons that cost many hundreds more. I'm with you on the low light performance, though I just consider it not awesome, not bad. It becomes less of an issue when you start ditching the kit lenses for Oly's faster ones, there's a world of difference in low light between f2.0 and the f3.5 of the kit lenses.
Another small note, Sigma is also making lenses for the four-thirds system.
2 - Raoul
Thanks Jim! Took a look at your shots, very nice!
3 - Andy Smith
I concur with your review. Having used it since late summer, I've found very few problems, and none that have kept me from getting the shot I want.
The price is a particular strong point; with the camera out for some time now, one can get the camera and several lenses for the price of the newer models alone.
BTW, I like and recommend the eyeup maginifier.
Most of the photos (since August) at tis url are from the EVOLT:
Andy
4 - Raoul
Thanks Andy! Cool prints you've got there!
5 - Misfit
I have an E-500 and I must be the only one who doesn't have a problem with the eyepiece. I find it very direct, clear and easy to use myself. I agree with two points. One, the cameras low light issue and two, when in that low light, the strobe effect the built in flash gives off. BUT...I purchased the FL-36 flash for the camera and ... let me clear my throat. WOW, BABY! instead of stroking off flashes of light for an assist, the FL-36 throws an infa-red light out and is not annoying, quick, and quite efficient. In fact, i hardly ever use the built in flash now. i use rechargeable batteries and get about 200 shots per charge. There is not tether to a power pack for the FL-36, you have to get its big brother, the FL-50, for that. (and pay twice as much). The camera itself is fun to use. The kit lenses are solid and I chose it over the Canon XTi, the Nikon D80 (too expensive for me), and the Sony Alpha A100. Although if I had the loot, I would have gone with the Pentax K10D. If you have low light issues, buy the flash, you can stop down the light by -7 or up to +7. Makes a world of difference. The 40-150mm lense is awesome too. I was surprised at first by the telescoping zoom, but it is a budget camera and it really does take nice shots.
6 - Gadgetmiser
I love my E500! Apart from the strictly technical specs, I maintain that its ability to use cheap manual lenses opens the door to a world of benefit. Fancy a 400mm (35mm equiv) for $30?:) I reviewed my collection of lenses here Gadget Miser; please pop by if of interest!
7 - Jarl Østergaard
Having used the olympus e-500 for about a year now I must conclude that I am very satisfied. I own the 14-54 zuiko lens and it makes the camera a completely different experience compared to the 14-45. Shots at higher ISOs need some noiseremoval but there are several software tools to do this. I also uses the Canon E400 at work - but prefer my e-500.