D50 sensor vs E500 sensor

[wh0128]

I have a question concerning the difference between the D50 sensor and the E500 sensor. I see that the D50 has a CCD sensor and the E500 has a 4/3 type Full Frame Transfer Type CCD solid-state image sensor. Does this mean anything in relation to size? I know the E500 is 8mp and the D50 6.1. I am asking this because my friend is looking at the E500 and notices the megapixel count, and the price, but neither of us know which one is better in image quality. If anyone could tell me the better camera, it would be much appreciated.

[K1W1]

I don't think Jeff has ever reviewed the E-500 but there is a good review on Dpreview that your friend should probably read and for comparison read the Dpreview D50 article.
As far as which is the better camera I personally don't believe that there is such a thing as a bad camera these days. There are (relatively) minor variations in picture quality between brands and which brand a person prefers largely depends on what sort of final image the like. The main difference between cameras is the person pushing the button - that is where the real quality distinction lies.

[coldrain]

There is nothing "full frame" about the E-500's sensor. It is the same sensor as from the E-300, and I do think Jeff reviewed it (but I am too lazy to check). The E-500 has a 2x crop factor size sensor, the D50 has a 1.5x crop factor sensor. The E-500 has cleaner, more artifact free photos in lower ISOs, but it gets more noise at ISO 400 and above compared to the D50.

The D50 seems to me to have a bit more vivid and realistic colours, but this is purely based on the impression I got from online samples. Both are good cameras, if higher ISO matters the D50 wins. What matters more is the lenses you will choose, and since you are looking at cheap DSLRs my guess is you do not want to spend too much on lenses. Then I think the best idea is to go for the Nikon D50. Its 18-55 kit lens is remarkebly good for the money, and you have a big range of lenses to choose from from Nikon, Tamron, Sigma and Tokina. There are some relatively affordable gems in that line-up of lenses.

[K1W1]

I agree about the lenses I forgot to mention that.
4/3 lenses are fairly thin on the ground at the moment whereas there are literally hundreds of different lenses available new or second hand for Nikons.

[wh0128]

what does 4/3 mean? and yes I would think that alot more lenses are made for the Nikon DSLRs than the Olympus DSLRs. Thanks for the opinions, I already read the reviews on both the D50 and the E500 on dpreview.com. All it seems to me is taht the E500 has more megapixels, and has a lot more features than the D50 does, but stuff that my friend won't ABSOLUTELY need. I think I'm going to recommend the D50 and plus me and him can exchange lenses if we want.

[Papa Nick]

That is the reason I went with the D50. It may have less features, but it has the ones that I do need/want. It's the industry standard DSLR in my opinion and is a great camera for the money. I couldn't be happier with mine and the quality of the photos.

[K1W1]

what does 4/3 mean?

http://www.olympus-esystem.com/dea/technology/fts/

[wh0128]

Thanks K1W1, I read the article and understand what 4/3 means. It doesn't appeal to me because I own a Nikon, but my friend might or might not like it.