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Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Olympus E-420 front
Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed July 2020
Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-410
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Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420 Overview

The following is a complete overview of the Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Nikon and Olympus. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and E-420 (10MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and E-420 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The Z5 was unveiled 12 years after the E-420 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the Z5 grades versus the E-420 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Olympus E-420

 Z5 E-420 
ReleasedJuly 2020June 2008Newer by 147 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Nikon Z5

 E-420 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Olympus E-420

 Z5 E-420 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z5 has outer dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-420 has measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") having a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Compare the Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the Z5 against the E-420.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and E-420 is 62 and 77 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions merely by looking through specifications. The picture underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z5 and E-420.

Plainly, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The Z5 with its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Nikon Z5 will render extra detail having an extra 14MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more modern Z5 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-420 as a Portrait photography camera
85
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
56
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography advice
Olympus E-420 Street photography advice
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than average (675g)
64
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (426 grams)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-420 Sports photography advice
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
good battery life (470 shots)
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.5 frames per second)
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-420 Travel photography factors
68
good battery life (470 shots)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
has focus by touch
megapixel count good (24MP)
heavier than average (675g)
display is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competition (426g)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (500 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-420 Landscape photography advice
86
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
good battery life (470 CIPA)
two card slots
47
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (500 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-420 Vlogging factors
34
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than average (675 grams)
9
no video recording
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Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-420 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Olympus E-420
 Nikon Z5Olympus E-420
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Z5 Olympus E-420
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2020-07-20 2008-06-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 TruePic III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 6016 x 4016 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 51200 1600
Max boosted ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 273 3
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 15 45
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.5 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 grams (1.49 lbs) 426 grams (0.94 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 56
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 527
Other
Battery life 470 shots 500 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15c -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Card slots 2 1
Launch cost $1,399 $999