First I just want to say: very nice pictures you show us, except the blurry one, that's just not my taste.
About E-500, yes it is a very good camera. I can not say if it is better than the one you have, since this is my first digital camera. But, if money was not a limiting factor, I would not have bought one. If I would have had unlimited budget, I would have bought a N**on. Dirty words are not allowed here, so I have to set ** into the name to fool the censorship. :bsmilie: Sorry all Olympians. I don't know which one, but not the D50 since I don't think that is better than the E-500. Sorry all Nikonians. :dunno: Why would I rather have a good N**on than an Olympus? It is a dream I had ever since F3 came out some times during the late 1970's. But, since I ever since the early 1980's have had several Olympus SLRs, even now I decided to go for Oly. The only reason actually is the fact that I have several good lenses and other OM stuff I want to reuse. If I had to replace everything that would just be too expensive, so money was again a limiting factor. But if I had not had all that stuff, well that would have been a different story.
Anyway, if I were you, and would absolutly not have had a burning need or desire to get a new camera today, and would absolutly wanted an Olympus, I would wait for the successor of E-1. I would not buy E-1 unless it is practically given away. Whatever people say, I belive E-500 is better. E-1 is just too old in the digital world, so that is not a surprise. I don't think E-330 is better either, whatever E-330 owners say. I was not prepared to pay extra for Live view, I don't think it's worth it. However, I did a lot of reading before I went for the E-500 about one month ago. And I can tell you a secret, I did not regret my decision yet. Maybe one day before I get too old, I'll be getting my dream camera, until then I am very happy with the one I have.