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Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
38
Overall
44

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Revealed November 2003
  • New Model is Olympus E-3
Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Introduced July 2006
  • Replaced the Konica Minolta 5D
  • Replacement is Sony A550
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Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100, one is a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and A100 (10MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and A100 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-1 was unveiled 3 years prior to the A100 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-1 matches up vs the A100 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Sony A100

 E-1 A100 

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Olympus E-1

 A100 E-1 
IntroducedJuly 2006November 2003Newer by 32 months
Screen size2.5"1.8"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution230k134kClearer screen (+96k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Sony A100

 E-1 A100 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-1 enjoys external measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") along with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Sony A100 has specifications of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") and a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-1 compared to the A100.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and A100 is 59 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specifications. The picture below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-1 and A100.

To sum up, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-1 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony A100 will deliver extra detail having an extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography info
Sony A100 Portrait photography info
46
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
MP count low (5MP)
53
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography information
Sony A100 Street photography information
57
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
lighter than average (735 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A100 as a Sports photography camera
40
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (5 megapixels)
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A100 as a Travel photography camera
47
lighter than average (735g)
weather proofing
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (5 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
45
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography factors
Sony A100 Landscape photography factors
46
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
tiny screen (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (5MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
53
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
low megapixels (10MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging features
Sony A100 Vlogging features
9
no video
9
no video recording
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Olympus E-1 vs Sony A100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Sony A100
 Olympus E-1Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Class Pro DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2003-11-29 2006-07-31
Body design Large SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 5MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 2560 x 1920 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 45 143
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 1.8 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 134k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 735g (1.62 lbs) 638g (1.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 476
Other
Battery ID - NP-FM55H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $1,700 $1,000