The Olympus EVOLT E-500 is a full-featured, 8-megapixel digital SLR camera that was designed to be used easily by photographers of any skill level. The E-500 is compact (approx. 5 x 3.7 x 2.6 inches), lightweight (15.3 oz.), durable and packed with Olympus innovations like an exclusive Dust Reduction System for spot-free photos, a TruePic TURBO Image Processor for fast response time, and a large 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD. Compatible with a wide range of Olympus Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses, the E-500 delivers the versatility and power that are the hallmarks of a performance SLR, but at an affordable $799USD price.

The E-500 uses a high-performance KODAK KAF-8300CE CCD imager for an impressive 8 million pixels of detail. With this amount of resolution photographers have the flexibility to make large prints with today's wide-carriage printers, or crop into an image to print only the part that is important to them. Moreover, the E-500's image sensor delivers improved dynamic range, low noise to capture fine image details in the highlight and shadow areas, as well as excellent color fidelity for brilliant colors. Additionally the anti-blooming technology on each pixel and the exclusive Olympus TruePic TURBO Image Processor helps to eliminate undesirable artifacts, stepping or jaggies, purple fringing or moir� in an image.

The E-500 has a big and bright 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD that offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors, so captured images can be beautifully displayed in vivid color on the screen with exceptional clarity. Because photos are for sharing, this LCD features a wide, 160° viewing angle on the vertical and horizontal axis, ensuring excellent visibility and beautiful image quality even when everyone huddles around the camera to see what you've created. The larger LCD also means the icons and text on the camera's menu display are enlarged for easier viewing.

The versatility of the Olympus E-System comes from delivering the largest selection of "Designed-for-Digital" lenses -more than any other manufacturer to date. Most other digital SLR cameras still use many traditional 35mm film lenses on digital bodies. But since those lenses are based on designs for film and not for pixels, they deliver insufficient light at the edges of a digital camera's image sensor. This can result in reduced sharpness and color definition, particularly when shooting with large apertures and wide-angle lenses. The E-500 does not have this problem, because it accommodates the full line of interchangeable Zuiko Digital Lenses. The E-500 outfit includes a compact, Zuiko Digital 14 - 45mm Zoom Lens (equivalent to 28mm - 90mm in 35mm photography). Its 3.2x zoom covers the range most frequently used in ordinary photography and weighs just 10 ounces (285 grams) offering users an extremely dynamic, portable everyday-use zoom. Close-ups as near as 15 inches (38cm) are possible throughout the zoom range.

Everybody can shoot like a pro with the E-500. Select from one of the 25 Exposure Modes (Easy, Basic and Creative) that make it easy to get the results you want. The 15 pre-programmed Scene Select modes to achieve the optimal results for: Night Scenes, Fireworks, Sunsets, Beach and Snow, Children, Landscape, and more. Every Scene Select mode provides a sample image and a description of what is happening to achieve the desired result. For example, choosing the Landscape setting reveals a sample of a landscape photo, and a text description of what the mode is displayed on the large, easy-to-read 2.5-inch LCD. The Creative Modes allow users to take more control of the E-500 for the ultimate in artistic expression. For example, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual Modes allow users to tweak all of the camera's settings just the way they want for any situation at hand.

Transferring images to the computer is easy with the Auto-Connect USB, software drivers aren't required (for most computers/operating systems). Images may also be viewed on a television using the video cable. When it comes time to print images just connects the camera's USB cable to any PictBridge-enabled printer, no need for a computer. The Olympus P-11 Digital Photo Printer is a perfect match for the E-500. Simply select the images displayed on the camera's LCD, press a button and the finished print is in your hand in under a minute.

EVOLT E-500 Features

• High performance Kodak 8-Megapixel Progressive Scan CCD imager
• Super Sonic Wave Filter for CCD dust protection
• Four-Thirds System lens mount for Zuiko Digital Specific lenses
• Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual and 21 Scene modes
• sRGB and Adobe RGB color space plus three color modes (Vivid, Neutral, and Muted) in each color space based on the image use/output.
• JPEG, TIFF and RAW file formats
• Simultaneous capture of RAW + JPEG files
• Metering modes: 49 point ESP, Center weighted, Spot (2%), Spot High Light and Spot Shadow
• Exposure compensation ±5 steps EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 steps
• 3-point (selectable) TTL Auto Focus
• 2.5" HyperCrystal LCD monitor with 160° viewing angle
• Auto popup multi-mode intelligent flash
• Hot shoe for E System TTL flash units (FL20, FL36, FL50)
• Capture 2.5fps up to 4 frames in SHQ
• Capture 2.5fps in HQ or SQ up to the capacity of high speed CF card
• Auto Exposure, Flash and White Balance bracketing
• ISO range 100-400 with boost to 1600
• RGB histogram display for accurate color information per channel including overall luminance
• Next Generation TruePic Technology with advanced noise reduction
• 5-level Sharpening, Contrast and Saturation controls
• B/W and duo tone modes with four contrast-enhancing filters (Yellow, Orange, Red, and Green)
• USB connectivity and PictBridge direct-print compatible
• xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash I/II/Microdrive storage
• High capacity Li-ion rechargeable battery and charger
• Compatible with all Olympus E-System lenses and accessories

The Olympus EVOLT E-500 Digital SLR will be available in October 2005. It includes: EVOLT E-500 Body with 14-45mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLM-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCM-2), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM, Manuals, Warranty card. The Estimated Street Price is $799.99 USD.

The EVOLT E-500 TWO Lens Outfit; 14-45mm f3.5/5.6 and 40-150mm f3.5/4.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens has an estimated Street Price of $899.99 USD.

Compare Digital SLR Specifications

Olympus EVOLT E-500 Specifications

Type	Interchangeable lens digital SLR camera
Body	Die-cast aluminum chassis, aluminum top cover, polycarbonate
Lens Mount	Four-Thirds mount
Media	xD-Picture Card, CompactFlash Card, Type I or II, Microdrive
Image Sensor
Type	Kodak KAF-8300CE 4/3-type Full Frame Transfer CCD
Size	17.3 x 13.0 mm
Number of Pixels	8.15 Megapixels (total) 8.0 Megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio	4:3
Filter Array	Primary color filter (RGB)
Dust Protection	Fixed-type Low Pass Filter with Supersonic wave filter
Image Quality, Resolution, File Size
Recording Format	JPEG (Exif 2.2), TIFF ver 6.0, RAW (12bit), RAW+JPEG
File Format	DCF, DPOF compatible / Exif 2.2 compatible, PRINT Image Matching II compatible
Viewfinder
Type	Eye level Dach Mirror type Optical View Finder
Viewfield Coverage	95% centered horiz./vert.
Magnification	Approx. x 0.9 with 50mm lens set to infinity on -1 diopter
Eye Point	approx. 10mm
Diopter Adjustment	Built-in, -3.0 to +1.0
Focusing Screen	Fixed (Mat Screen with AF/Metering marks)
Mirror	Quick-return mirror
Viewfinder Information	AF frame, AF confirmation mark, Exposure mode, Exposure compensation value, AE lock, Metering mode, Shutter speed, Aperture value, White balance, Flash
Depth of Field Preview	One-touch WB Button (Customizable)
Eye Cup	Interchangeable type (EP-5/6), EP-5 supplied
Autofocus
Type	TTL phase difference detection system
Focus Modes	Single / Continuous autofocus, Manual, S-AF + MF/ C-AF + MF
Detection Range	EV 0 to 19 (ISO 100, temperature 20°C)
Focus Area	3 points
Focus Area Selection	Auto, Manual
AF Assist Lamp	Uses builtin flash or AF-assist lamps on Olympus external flashes
AF Lock	Locked by first position of shutter button or OK button (customizable) (customizable)
Exposure Control
Light Metering System	TTL full-aperture light metering by 49-zone multi-pattern sensing system
Metering Modes	Digital ESP, Center-weighted average (60%), Spot (2%), Spot High Light and Spot Shadow
Detection Range	ESP, Center-weighted average: EV 1 to 20, Spot: EV3 to 17
Exposure Control	Full Auto, Program with Program Shift / Shutter Priority / Aperture Priority / Manual Scene Program (Portrait, Macro, Landscape, Night Scene & Portrait, Sports)/ Scene Select (Portrait, Macro, Landscape, Night Scene, Sports, Landscape & Portrait, Night Scene & Portrait, Firework, Sunset, High-Key, Low-Key, Documents, Children, Beach & Snow, Candle)
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 steps EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 steps
Exposure Bracketing	Selectable from 1, 2/3, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps, 3 or 5 frames
Sensitivity
Auto	ISO (100 - 400)
Manual	ISO 100-400 in 1/3EV or 1EV steps with Boost to 1600
Shutter
Type	Electronically controlled focal plane shutter
Shutter Speed	A, P, Ps: 1/4000 to 60 sec. S: 1/4000 to 60 sec. M: 1/4000 to 60 sec. Bulb (up to 8 minutes)
X-Sync Speed	Syncs at 1/180 sec., Super FP mode syncs up to 1/4000 sec. for fill flash
Shutter Release	Soft-touch electromagnetic
Selftimer	12 or 2 sec.
Remote Control	Wireless by optional RM-1
Drive System
Drive Modes	Single, Sequential shooting
Sequential Shooting Speed	2.5 frames per second
Max. Frames in Sequential Shooting	RAW or TIFF: 4 frames JPEG (HQ, SQ) up to full capacity with high speed media
White Balance System
Auto WB System	Advanced detection system with CCD imager
Preset WB	12 Types (3000K - 7500K)
Custom Mode	1 setting
WB Compensation	Adjustment -7 to +7 steps in each Auto/Preset setting
WB Bracketing	3 frames with +/- 4/8/12 MiReD steps (1 MiReD = 10° Kelvin)
Flash Control
Type	TTL Auto FP, TTL Auto for Olympus dedicated flash
Built-in Flash	Yes
Flash Modes	Auto, Red-eye reduction, Slow synchro, Fill-in for exclusive flash
X-Sync Speed	X = 1/180 Sec. or less (FP= 1/30 sec to 1/4000 sec.) (up to 1/4000 sec with "Super FP" Flashes)
Intensity Control	+/- 2 EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps for exclusive flash
Synchro Timing	1st Curtain Synchro / 2nd Curtain Slow Synchro ( Selectable )
Multi Flash Control	Yes (control built-in and ext flash independently)
Color Space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Picture Mode	Vivid, Natural, Flat, B&W, Sepia
Color Saturation	5 levels in each Vivid, Natural and Flat mode
Image Adjustment	Sharpness: 5 levels in each Picture mode Contrast: 5 levels in each Picture mode Filter: Yellow, Orange, Red, Green, in B&W mode Toning: Sepia, Blue, Red, Green in B&W mode Gradation: 3 levels
Control Panel Information	Flash mode, Flash compensation value indication, Metering mode, Focus mode, Record mode, Aperture value, Shutter speed, Battery check, Number of storable still pictures, Image quality adjustment, ISO, Color space, Mono tone, Hi/Lo Key, White balance, Remote control, Self-timer, Exposure level indicator, Exposure compensation indicator, AF frame, Number of storable sequential pictures, Exposure compensation value indication, Auto bracket, Noise reduction, Single-frame shooting/Sequential shooting, Color saturation compensation value indication, Sharpness compensation indication value, AE bracket, WB bracket
LCD Monitor	2.5" HyperCrystal TFT color LCD (approx. 215,250 pixels). Viewfield coverage 100%. +/- 7 step brightness control
Playback Modes	Single, Zoom (2/3/4/6/8/10/14x), Index (4, 9, 16, 25 frames), Slide show
Playback Information	Histogram, High Light Point Warning, AF frame, Exposure Mode, Metering Mode, Shutter Speed, F-Stop, Compensation level, ISO, Color Space, WB Mode, Focal Length, Focus Area, File Type, Contrast Level, Sharpness Level
Erase/Protect	Erase: Single / All / Selected Protect: Single / Selected
Menu	REC1, REC2, Play Back, Custom, Setup
Menu Languages	English (default), German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean
External Connectors	Data I/O: USB 1.1 (MiniB) Video Out: NTSC or PAL Flash Sync: Hot shoe
Power Supply	BLM-1 rechargeable Li-Ion battery pack and BCM-2 charger (included)
Box Contents	EVOLT E-500 Body, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-ion Battery Pack (BLM-1), Li-ion Battery Charger (BCM-2), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master ver 1.0 CD-ROM, Manuals, Warranty card, System chart
Operating Temperature / Humidity	32° - 104°F (0° - 40°C), 30 - 90% humidity
Size	129.5 x 94.5 x 66 mm / 5.1"w x 3.7"h x 2.6"d
Weight	435g / 15.35 oz. (without battery & memory card)