Olympus will next month bolster its Four Thirds E-System digital SLR line-up with the addition of an eight-million-pixel model called the E-500 which is aimed at the enthusiast market. It has also unveiled five new E-System Zuiko lenses.

Expected to arrive on the UK high street at the end of next month features include a new Digital ESP 49-area metering sensor and the company’s tried and tested Supersonic Wave filter system which is designed to reduce the potential problem of dust entering the camera while changing lenses. The Supersonic Wave Filter aims to remove dust from the area in front of the CCD sensor by shaking at ?35,000 vibrations a second? every time the camera is switched on, according to the company.

Hailed as providing an ?affordable entry into the exciting world of SLR photography?, the E-500 is designed to be compact and lightweight and – using a traditional SLR pentaprism – boasts a ?classic? SLR look.

It is billed as compact and lightweight, measuring 129.5×94.5x66mm and weighing 435g (without battery and memory card).

Olympus has yet to announce a body only price. However it has confirmed that it will also be available in kit which includes an 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, rechargeable battery and charger priced around £600. The E-500 will also be bundled with a 14-45mm and 40-150mm zoom with rechargeable battery and charger in a kit costing around £650.

For details call Olympus on 0800 072 0070.

? More details, plus information about the new lenses, will appear in an upcoming issue of AP.