Olympus EVOLT E-500

Connectivity
Software (6.0)
The Evolt E-500 ships with Olympus Master software, an integrated package for downloading, organizing, editing, printing, and distributing images. The software is clunky, opening with a home screen that looks like an operating system window full of program icons. Needless animations make it extremely slow on a slow computer, but even on a fast computer, the home screen feels like an extra step, and it's ugly.

The browsing and download functions work, but it's a lot of work to override the default settings. They may appeal to casual shooters who don't take many pictures. The editing functions are also useful. The RAW conversion module is uninspiring – it's the camera controls, but no better. Users who already have Adobe Photoshop Elements with RAW converter probably won't be tempted by the Olympus package.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs (6.0)
If the E-500 has an exciting port, it's the hot shoe. Olympus offers a range of external flashes, and users will notice a huge difference between the anemic built-in flash and a capable external one. The combined USB/AV port is boring, by comparison. The E-500 is compatible with two infrared remote controls, which are useful for self-portraits and possibly wildlife photography.

Direct Print Options (6.0)
The E-500 is compatible with both PictBridge and DPOF printing technology. PictBridge allows the E-500 to connect directly to a home inkjet printer, and DPOF is a format for saving a print order on the memory card for download to a commercial printer or lab. The E-500 has options to set print size, number of copies, to print index prints, whether to print with borders, to print multiple copies of an image on a single sheet of paper, or to print date and time on the image. It's a full implementation of the two printing standards.

Battery (6.0)
Olympus fit the Evolt E-500 with a 7.2-volt, 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery. The battery lasts a long time between charges, and we find it a superior choice to AA batteries, which are cheaper but don't last nearly as long. The Evolt E-500's battery takes about 5 hours to recharge.

Memory (6.0)
The E-500 accepts CompactFlash and xD-Picture media cards. CompactFlash is a broadly popular medium for DSLRs. They're cheap, durable, and widely available. Olympus collaborated on the development of xD cards. They are smaller than CompactFlash, which isn't a big deal – either one can hide in a child's fist.

It's possible to copy images between CF and xD cards in the E-500, but images cannot be recorded on both media at the same time.

Other Features (6.0)
Sensor Cleaning Setting - Even though Olympus touts its dust control system, the company bows to the reality that some crud must be removed manually.

Supersonic Wave Filter – This dust removal system activates for about 2 seconds when the camera is turned on and can be manually selected to operate when the camera is powered up. The system vibrates a filter 35,000 times per second to shake dust from the cover in front of the sensor.