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Olympus E-300 vs Sony A850

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Olympus E-300 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Olympus E-300
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Push to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
  • Released January 2005
  • Alternative Name is EVOLT E-300
  • Later Model is Olympus E-330
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released April 2010
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Olympus E-300 vs Sony A850 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-300 and Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and A850 (25MP) and the E-300 (Four Thirds) and A850 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor size.

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The E-300 was launched 6 years before the A850 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-300 scores vs the A850 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Sony A850

 E-300 A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Olympus E-300

 A850 E-300 
ReleasedApril 2010January 2005Newer by 64 months
Screen sizing3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution922k134kClearer screen (+788k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Sony A850

 E-300 A850 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-300 comes with external measurements of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") with a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) while the Sony A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-300 and Sony A850 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the E-300 against the A850.

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-300 and A850 is 67 and 54 respectively.

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specifications. The pic below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-300 and A850.

Plainly, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-300 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A850 will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 17MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged E-300 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-300 Portrait photography details
Sony A850 Portrait photography details
48
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
72
manual focus
excellent sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-300 Street photography factors
Sony A850 Street photography factors
51
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
low max ISO (400)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A850 as a Sports photography camera
37
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent sensor resolution (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-300 Travel photography info
Sony A850 Travel photography info
45
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (8MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
55
environment proofing
excellent sensor resolution (25MP)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-300 Landscape photography details
Sony A850 Landscape photography details
43
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (1.8")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
low max ISO (400)
missing Timelapse mode
73
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
no liveview feature
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
9
no video recording
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Olympus E-300 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-300 and Sony A850
 Olympus E-300Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-300 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Also called as EVOLT E-300 -
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2005-01-10 2010-04-15
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 25MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3264 x 2448 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 1.8" 3"
Screen resolution 134 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 624 gr (1.38 lbs) 895 gr (1.97 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 85 x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
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), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots One Dual
Launch price $800 $0