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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-M1 III

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-M1 III 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
  • Announced June 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-410
Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Launched February 2020
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-M1 III Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Olympus E-420 versus Olympus E-M1 III, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Olympus. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and E-M1 III (20MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

Photography Glossary

The E-420 was unveiled 12 years before the E-M1 III which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-420 matches up against the E-M1 III in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 E-420 E-M1 III 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus E-420

 E-M1 III E-420 
LaunchedFebruary 2020June 2008More modern by 141 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-M1 III

 E-420 E-M1 III 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-M1 III Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-420 features external measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Olympus E-M1 III has proportions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-420 versus Olympus E-M1 III in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the E-420 and the E-M1 III.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-M1 III size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and E-M1 III is 77 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-M1 III top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-M1 III Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-420 and E-M1 III.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Olympus E-M1 III to deliver more detail having an extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged E-420 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-M1 III sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-M1 III Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-M1 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-420
Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 III
56
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
77
manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography factors
Olympus E-M1 III Street photography factors
64
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (426g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
78
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
environment proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-M1 III as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-420
Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
52
lighter than competition (426 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (500 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
79
environment proofing
has bluetooth
offers focus via touch
decent MP (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography information
Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography information
47
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
81
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging details
Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging details
9
no video
79
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic port
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-M1 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-M1 III
 Olympus E-420Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-420 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Category Entry-Level DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2008-06-23 2020-02-11
Body design Compact SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III TruePic IX
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.4 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 226.2mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 121
Cross type focus points - 121
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 60.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, 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 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution None 4096x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 gr (0.94 pounds) 580 gr (1.28 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 527 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 images 420 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLH-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot)
Storage slots 1 Dual
Price at release $999 $1,800