Olympus E-500 DSLR

Looks like Olympus is one-upping its E-300 digital SLR by putting out the E-500. The two units have got similar specs, both with 8.1 megapixels but with some changes in the unit design showing in the E-500. It's got a 2.5-inch LCD, storage via xD and CF, transfer via USB 2.0, and can be powered by six AA batteries — an improvement over the previous proprietary battery situation. No word on price yet, but the E-500 is supposedly rolling out towards the end of this month — though the original announcement on the Olympus dutch website has since disappeared, so you may want to take that release info with a grain of salt.

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

In my book AA batteries are only an improvement if they can last as long as a proprietary battery. And in most of the camera reviews I've read they don't.

[Gordy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

What camera would those reviews have been for? I've never seen a quality digicam with AA batteries.

[Raffi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

I hope for their own sake they pull a Nikon, and make it so that you can put the proprietary battery there, as well as another type (perhaps AA) as well, if you really want to or have no choice because of a lack of charger nearby.

[902SH Guy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

Fuji S3Pro uses AA. I would take that camera over the Canon 20D. Then again, it is almost double the price of the 20D.

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

Some of the Canon powershots use AA. I don't mind a camera being able to use AAs as long as there is a good proprietary rechargable that comes with the camera.

[david @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

i thought most people used rechargeable AA batteries,

[Tony @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

Is this a "real" SLR with interchangeable lenses? Do they use propretary lenses?

[Chir @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

I think Olympus is still pushing their "standard" for interchangable lenses made specifically for digital cameras with a moderately-sized sensor, smaller than that of 35mm film.

[Amol @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

No thanks, I'll stay with my Digital Rebel XT =)

[Google Nazi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

Do camera's like this have sterio vision? I am wondering because i would love to get a HD Digicam.

[Jonathan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

Hu? Somethings up...

E-300: Total pixel number 8.89 million pixels
E-500: Total pixel number 8.15 million pixels

All fine and good, but I hope the don't forget that the E-1 could use some work.

[the XT comment] The Rebel XT is a great camera, but this is an all digital system with some impressive glass options avil. [not to say that Canon doesn't have some amazing glass as they do, but it's worth noting that the 4/3 system is and all digital one] now and more comming in the future including a whack of F2 zooms. The E-300 and the XT spec for spec are close cameras, size, CCD vs. CMOS, SSWF and mount would be the stick out points. So to see an E-500 should heat things up.

So yea, like I was saying, release the E-3 already. :)

[Shreder @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

All 4 Pentax DSLR models use either 4 x AAs or 2 x CR-V3 alternative. Gives you the ability to use Ni-MH (shorter life but handy) or R-CR-V3. Many people consider this a positive selling feature. These models, especially the *istD, are a bit more upmarket than the E300.....