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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510

Portability
77
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Olympus E-420 front
 
Olympus E-510 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Introduced June 2008
  • Old Model is Olympus E-410
Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced November 2007
  • Alternative Name is EVOLT E-510
  • Older Model is Olympus E-500
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-520
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both sold by Olympus. The resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the E-510 (10MP) is pretty similar and they possess the exact same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-420 was introduced 8 months later than the E-510 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-510 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-420 grades against the E-510 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Olympus E-510

 E-420 E-510 
AnnouncedJune 2008November 2007Fresher by 8 months
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Olympus E-420

 E-510 E-420 

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-510

 E-420 E-510 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-420 features outer measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Olympus E-510 has specifications of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-420 vs the E-510.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and E-510 is 77 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading technical specs. The photograph here will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-420 and E-510.

As you can tell, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP and you should expect similar quality of files but you have to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The younger E-420 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-510 Portrait photography information
57
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low resolution (10MP)
56
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-420
Street photography with Olympus E-510
64
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than average in class (426 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (490 grams)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 Sports photography features
Olympus E-510 Sports photography features
39
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
low fps (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
52
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-510 as a Travel photography camera
53
lighter than average in class (426 grams)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
52
lighter than competitors in class (490g)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography information
Olympus E-510 Landscape photography information
47
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-510 Vlogging highlights
9
no video shooting
9
no video
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-510 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-510
 Olympus E-420Olympus E-510
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-420 Olympus E-510
Also Known as - EVOLT E-510
Type Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2008-06-23 2007-11-23
Body design Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 3 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 45
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426 gr (0.94 pounds) 490 gr (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 52
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 10.0
DXO Low light score 527 442
Other
Battery life 500 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $999 $550