Olympus e500 or Cannon Rebel xti

[webster]

I am looking at buying a digital SLR and have narrowed it down to the Olympus e500 or the Cannon Rebel xti.
I like the 2 lens kit with the Olympus because of the price but would like to know what you think would be the best and why? (advantages/disadvantages)

[X-SOFT]

i'd take canon, better reputation in DSLR's + canon offer much more lenses..

[webster]

Thanks X-SOFT I appreciate the reply.
Can anyone else give me some guidance?

[SpecialK]

Olympus makes a fair selection of lenses, and third parties also have some as well, so I don't think lens availability is an issue, unless you want a lot of speciality lenses, right now. Olympus has a long history of decent film cameras, and the E-500 has mostly good, though not glowing, reviews. As pointed out, Canon also has a good reputation and large selection of lenses.

However, the XTi costs more than the Olympus 2-lens set. The megapixel difference does not justify the cost of the Canon by itself, but it does have nice features.

When I was shopping around I started with the XTi, then Nikon D80 and decided those systems (with their own lenses) were too expensive. If you decide to go with third party lenses then the need for the Canon or Nikon body to hold them is less relevent. Finally, the basic D50 was comparable to the Pentax K100D, but without any stabilization feature. The E-500 was not to ergonmic in my hands, and I ultimately decided the Pentax fit my needs.

I suggest you check out the lens you want, and work backward from there. Canon or Nikon may be the high quality leaders, but you will pay a bunch for them. Sigma or Tamron has some good lens for either brand that might work for you.

[zmikers]

I think the point to look at here is that the body is just a body. Though the body offers some features that may interest you more than others, I think the more important point is that you are buying into a "family." If you buy a canon, for example, then you are buying much more than just a canon body. You are buying into the canon family and everything that it has to offer. So I think you should look at what lenses and accessories each company has to offer. Depending on what your future intent is, as far as photography goes should help you decide.

[webster]

I think the point to look at here is that the body is just a body. Though the body offers some features that may interest you more than others, I think the more important point is that you are buying into a "family." If you buy a canon, for example, then you are buying much more than just a canon body. You are buying into the canon family and everything that it has to offer. So I think you should look at what lenses and accessories each company has to offer. Depending on what your future intent is, as far as photography goes should help you decide.

Thank you both this gives things a little different perspective in my camera purchase.

Would you say that either the e500 or the rebel xti would do a good job for the amateur?
Mostly I would be taking portrait photos of horses and then just the average Joe things.
Some photos would be at a distance so what lenses would be good? (Outdoor wildlife and horses)

[zmikers]

Thank you both this gives things a little different perspective in my camera purchase.

Would you say that either the e500 or the rebel xti would do a good job for the amateur?
Mostly I would be taking portrait photos of horses and then just the average Joe things.
Some photos would be at a distance so what lenses would be good? (Outdoor wildlife and horses)

Honestly and unfortunately, I don't know a lot about the e500. Hopefuly someone else here can give you some advice on that. But for the xti, I think it would be a great camera for your needs. Its small, light, fairly easy to use, takes great photos, has great IQ at high ISO compared to other cameras and canon is a great firm to buy into. No, I'm not a rep, but I do love my xti LOL........