Which is better digital SLR Camera.. Olympus Evolt E-500 or Olympus E-410?

Question

I am planning to buy a new digital SLR camera. My choices are down to the 2 SLRs above. I know the E-410 has higher megapixel and Live View. But overall, is it better than the E-500? I cant afford the Olympus E-510 or E-420 right now.

Answer 1

Beside the benefits you mentioned, the 410 is lighter, the autofocus is quicker and also has a lot less noise at ISO 400 and 800.

Seems to me, with the E-500 basically at end of life, the E-410 is the much better camera/deal.

Answer 2

Either camera would be a good choice but the newer features of the E-410 would usually tip the scales in that direction. Especially if the "Live View" (LV) operation is important to you.  Three things to consider are -

1)  How does each camera feel in your hands?

2)  Is a longer battery life important to you?

3)  How important is the LV? (It slows camera operation down because of "shutter lag" but ONLY while you use the LV mode).

The E-500 is a little bit larger (it's easier for me to hold, but I am a big guy with slightly arthritic hands) and it uses a higher capacity battery. Plus it will require less power than the E-410 if you are using the LV function on the 410.

One advantage of the 4/3 system is that it is much easier to design as a power miser, so you will usually get good life out of the battery between charges with either model but the very first accessory I got for my E-500 was an extra battery.

I also seem to recall a review that says the optical viewfinder on the E-410 is a little bit better than the E-500 but I haven't compared them side by side so I cannot comment on that.

HTH.  Here is a link to a good site for a relatively objective review of the E-410.  You can go to there review of the E-500 from there also.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_revi...

Good luck.