Canon 50D vs Olympus E-500
The Canon EOS 50D and the Olympus Evolt E-500 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in August 2008 and September 2005. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (50D) and a Four Thirds (E-500) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 15.1 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 8 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 50D and the Olympus Evolt E-500? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 50D and the Olympus E-500 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-500 is notably smaller (22 percent) than the Canon 50D. Moreover, the E-500 is substantially lighter (42 percent) than the 50D. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 50D is splash and dust resistant, while the E-500 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (50D) and the Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-500).
Concerning battery life, the 50D gets 800 shots out of its Canon BP-511A battery, while the E-500 can take 750 images on a single charge of its Olympus BLM-1 power pack.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 50D | 146 mm | 108 mm | 74 mm | 822 g | 800 | Y | Aug 2008 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
2. | Olympus E-500 | 130 mm | 95 mm | 66 mm | 479 g | 750 | n | Sep 2005 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 7D | 148 mm | 111 mm | 74 mm | 860 g | 800 | Y | Sep 2009 | US$ 1 699 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon 7D II | 149 mm | 112 mm | 78 mm | 910 g | 670 | Y | Sep 2014 | US$ 1 799 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 20D | 144 mm | 106 mm | 72 mm | 770 g | 700 | n | Aug 2004 | US$ 1 499 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon 30D | 144 mm | 106 mm | 74 mm | 785 g | 750 | n | Feb 2006 | US$ 1 399 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon 40D | 146 mm | 108 mm | 74 mm | 822 g | 750 | n | Aug 2007 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon 60D | 145 mm | 106 mm | 79 mm | 755 g | 1100 | Y | Aug 2010 | US$ 1 399 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon 70D | 139 mm | 104 mm | 79 mm | 755 g | 920 | Y | Jul 2013 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon 80D | 139 mm | 105 mm | 79 mm | 730 g | 960 | Y | Feb 2016 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon 90D | 141 mm | 105 mm | 77 mm | 701 g | 1300 | Y | Aug 2019 | US$ 1 199 | amazon.com | |
12. | Canon T1i | 129 mm | 98 mm | 62 mm | 520 g | 400 | n | Mar 2009 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
13. | Olympus E-300 | 147 mm | 85 mm | 64 mm | 624 g | 750 | n | Sep 2004 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
14. | Olympus E-330 | 140 mm | 87 mm | 72 mm | 637 g | 750 | n | Jan 2006 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
15. | Olympus E-400 | 130 mm | 91 mm | 53 mm | 435 g | 500 | n | Sep 2006 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
16. | Olympus E-410 | 130 mm | 91 mm | 53 mm | 435 g | 500 | n | Mar 2007 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
17. | Olympus E-510 | 136 mm | 92 mm | 68 mm | 538 g | 750 | n | Mar 2007 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The E-500 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 54 percent) than the 50D, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 50D features an APS-C sensor and the Olympus E-500 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-500 is 32 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 2.0. The sensor in the 50D has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-500 offers a 4:3 aspect.
With 15.1MP, the 50D offers a higher resolution than the E-500 (8MP), but the 50D has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.69μm versus 5.30μm for the E-500). However, the 50D is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 11 months) than the E-500, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.
The resolution advantage of the Canon 50D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 50D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23.8 x 15.8 inches or 60.4 x 40.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 19 x 12.7 inches or 48.3 x 32.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.8 x 10.6 inches or 40.2 x 26.8 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-500 are 16.3 x 12.2 inches or 41.5 x 31.1 cm for good quality, 13.1 x 9.8 inches or 33.2 x 24.9 cm for very good quality, and 10.9 x 8.2 inches or 27.6 x 20.7 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Canon EOS 50D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus Evolt E-500 are ISO 100 to ISO 400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-1600.
In terms of underlying technology, the 50D is build around a CMOS sensor, while the E-500 uses a CCD imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 50D | APS-C | 15.1 | 4752 | 3168 | none | 21.8 | 11.4 | 696 | 63 | |
2. | Olympus E-500 | Four Thirds | 8.0 | 3264 | 2448 | none | 20.7 | 10.3 | 45 | 51 | |
3. | Canon 7D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 22.0 | 11.7 | 854 | 66 | |
4. | Canon 7D II | APS-C | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 22.4 | 11.8 | 1082 | 70 | |
5. | Canon 20D | APS-C | 8.2 | 3504 | 2336 | none | 21.9 | 11.0 | 721 | 62 | |
6. | Canon 30D | APS-C | 8.2 | 3504 | 2336 | none | 21.5 | 10.8 | 736 | 59 | |
7. | Canon 40D | APS-C | 10.1 | 3888 | 2592 | none | 22.1 | 11.3 | 703 | 64 | |
8. | Canon 60D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 22.2 | 11.5 | 813 | 66 | |
9. | Canon 70D | APS-C | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/30p | 22.5 | 11.6 | 926 | 68 | |
10. | Canon 80D | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.6 | 13.2 | 1135 | 79 | |
11. | Canon 90D | APS-C | 32.3 | 6960 | 4640 | 4K/30p | 24.0 | 13.5 | 1848 | 83 | |
12. | Canon T1i | APS-C | 15.1 | 4752 | 3168 | 1080/20p | 21.7 | 11.5 | 663 | 63 | |
13. | Olympus E-300 | Four Thirds | 8.0 | 3264 | 2448 | none | 20.4 | 10.1 | -40 | 48 | |
14. | Olympus E-330 | Four Thirds | 7.4 | 3136 | 2352 | none | 20.8 | 10.4 | 73 | 52 | |
15. | Olympus E-400 | Four Thirds | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | none | 21.0 | 10.6 | 127 | 53 | |
16. | Olympus E-410 | Four Thirds | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | none | 21.1 | 10.0 | 494 | 51 | |
17. | Olympus E-510 | Four Thirds | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | none | 21.2 | 10.0 | 442 | 52 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 50D and the E-500 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the 50D has a higher magnification than the one of the E-500 (0.59x vs 0.45x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 50D, the Olympus E-500, and comparable cameras.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 50D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.3/s | Y | n | |
2. | Olympus E-500 | optical | n | 2.5 / 215 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.5/s | Y | n | |
3. | Canon 7D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 8.0/s | Y | n | |
4. | Canon 7D II | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | Y | n | |
5. | Canon 20D | optical | Y | 1.8 / 118 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
6. | Canon 30D | optical | Y | 2.5 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
7. | Canon 40D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.5/s | Y | n | |
8. | Canon 60D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | n | 1/8000s | 5.3/s | Y | n | |
9. | Canon 70D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 7.0/s | Y | n | |
10. | Canon 80D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 7.0/s | Y | n | |
11. | Canon 90D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 11.0/s | Y | n | |
12. | Canon T1i | optical | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.4/s | Y | n | |
13. | Olympus E-300 | optical | n | 1.8 / 134 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.5/s | Y | n | |
14. | Olympus E-330 | optical | n | 2.5 / 215 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
15. | Olympus E-400 | optical | n | 2.5 / 215 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
16. | Olympus E-410 | optical | n | 2.5 / 215 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
17. | Olympus E-510 | optical | n | 2.5 / 215 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
One feature that is present on the 50D, but is missing on the E-500 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.
The 50D writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the E-500 uses Compact Flash or xD Picture cards. The E-500 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the 50D only has one slot.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 50D and Olympus Evolt E-500 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 50D | Y | - / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
2. | Olympus E-500 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Canon 7D | Y | mono / - | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
4. | Canon 7D II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
5. | Canon 20D | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | |
6. | Canon 30D | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
7. | Canon 40D | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
8. | Canon 60D | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
9. | Canon 70D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
10. | Canon 80D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
11. | Canon 90D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
12. | Canon T1i | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
13. | Olympus E-300 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
14. | Olympus E-330 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
15. | Olympus E-400 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
16. | Olympus E-410 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
17. | Olympus E-510 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - |
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 50D (unlike the E-500) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
Both the 50D and the E-500 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The E-500 was replaced by the Olympus E-510, while the 50D was followed by the Canon 60D. Further information on the features and operation of the 50D and E-500 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 50D Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus E-500 Manual.
Review summary
So how do things add up? Is the Canon 50D better than the Olympus E-500 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.
Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 50D:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (15.1 vs 8MP) with a 40% higher linear resolution.
- Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
- Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
- More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.59x vs 0.45x).
- Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
- Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 215k dots).
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6.3 vs 2.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- More modern: Reflects 2 years and 11 months of technical progress since the E-500 launch.
Arguments in favor of the Olympus Evolt E-500:
- More compact: Is smaller (130x95mm vs 146x108mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 343g or 42 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
- Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (54 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2005).
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 50D is the clear winner of the match-up (14 : 5 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 50D and the Olympus E-500 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 50D or the E-500 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.
Expert reviews
This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 50D | .. | + + | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2008 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
2. | Olympus E-500 | .. | 76/100 | .. | + + | .. | .. | Sep 2005 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 7D | 5/5 | + + | .. | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2009 | US$ 1 699 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon 7D II | 4.5/5 | + | 3.5/5 | 84/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2014 | US$ 1 799 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 20D | .. | .. | .. | + + | .. | .. | Aug 2004 | US$ 1 499 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon 30D | .. | + + | .. | + + | o | .. | Feb 2006 | US$ 1 399 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon 40D | .. | + + | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2007 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon 60D | 5/5 | + | .. | 79/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2010 | US$ 1 399 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon 70D | 5/5 | + + | .. | 83/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jul 2013 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon 80D | 4/5 | + + | 4.5/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2016 | US$ 1 199 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon 90D | 4/5 | + | 4.5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2019 | US$ 1 199 | amazon.com | |
12. | Canon T1i | .. | + + | .. | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2009 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
13. | Olympus E-300 | .. | .. | .. | + | o | 4.5/5 | Sep 2004 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
14. | Olympus E-330 | .. | .. | .. | + | o | .. | Jan 2006 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
15. | Olympus E-400 | .. | 85/100 | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Sep 2006 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
16. | Olympus E-410 | .. | 86/100 | .. | + + | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2007 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
17. | Olympus E-510 | .. | 89/100 | .. | + + | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2007 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
- Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-500
- Canon 50D vs Leica S-E Typ 006
- Canon 50D vs Nikon Z6
- Canon 50D vs Sony RX10 III
- Canon 50D vs Sony RX100 II
- Canon 50D vs Sony RX1R
- Canon 50D vs YI M1
- Canon XT vs Olympus E-500
- Fujifilm GFX 50S vs Olympus E-500
- Leica S2 vs Olympus E-500
- Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic FZ1000
- Olympus E-500 vs Sony A7R IV
Specifications: Canon 50D vs Olympus E-500
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Canon 50D | Olympus E-500 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | Digital single lens reflex |
Camera Lens | Canon EF mount lenses | Four Thirds lenses |
Launch Date | August 2008 | September 2005 |
Launch Price | USD 1,299 | USD 599 |
Sensor Specs | Canon 50D | Olympus E-500 |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | Four Thirds Sensor |
Sensor Size | 22.3 x 14.9 mm | 17.3 x 13.0 mm |
Sensor Area | 332.27 mm2 | 224.9 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 26.8 mm | 21.6 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.6x | 2.0x |
Sensor Resolution | 15.1 Megapixels | 8 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 4752 x 3168 pixels | 3264 x 2448 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 4.69 μm | 5.30 μm |
Pixel Density | 4.53 MP/cm2 | 3.55 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | Anti-Alias filter |
Movie Capability | no Video | no Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 3,200 ISO | 100 - 400 ISO |
ISO Boost | 100 - 12,800 ISO | 100 - 1,600 ISO |
Image Processor | DIGIC 4 | TruePic |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 63 | .. |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 21.8 | .. |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 11.4 | .. |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 696 | .. |
Screen Specs | Canon 50D | Olympus E-500 |
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | Optical viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.59x | 0.45x |
Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | no Top Display |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 2.5inch |
LCD Resolution | 920k dots | 215k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fixed screen |
Shooting Specs | Canon 50D | Olympus E-500 |
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | Phase-detect AF |
Continuous Shooting | 6.3 shutter flaps/s | 2.5 shutter flaps/s |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | CF cards | CF or XD cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Dual card slots |
Connectivity Specs | Canon 50D | Olympus E-500 |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | no PC Sync |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | no HDMI |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | no Wifi |
Body Specs | Canon 50D | Olympus E-500 |
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | not weather sealed |
Battery Type | Canon BP-511A | Olympus BLM-1 |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 800 shots per charge | 750 shots per charge |
Body Dimensions |
146 x 108 x 74 mm (5.7 x 4.3 x 2.9 in) |
130 x 95 x 66 mm (5.1 x 3.7 x 2.6 in) |
Camera Weight | 822 g (29.0 oz) | 479 g (16.9 oz) |
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