E500 - anyone here have it yet?

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I'm thinking about treating myself to an early Christmas present and I believe this camera will due the trick nicely. I've convinced myself its what I want, just figured I'd ask here if there are any quirks that people have found from firsthand experience that isn't listed in the loads of reviews found online?

I know there aren't UW housings for it yet, but it would be a surface only camera - atleast for a few years.

 

[CA Diver]

The biggest quirk is that Olympus will probably change it to the E-700 in 3 months just after you spend $1,300 on the housing. That is what happned to me. I bought the E-300 in August and now find out that they are discontinuing that model because it does not look just like the old film SLRr's. This is why they introduced the E-500. So if I ever have a problem with my E-300 not only do I have to replace the camera but the expensive housing as well.

I have always liked my oly cameras in the past and have not had the chance to take it underwater yet. I like the camera. You do need to be careful about the large files generated by an 8 mp photo.

good luck.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I'm not really too worried about the housing, I don't think I'll ever want to drop $1000 on just a housing.