Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P1
77 Imaging
44 Features
36 Overall
40


86 Imaging
46 Features
42 Overall
44
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P1 Key Specs
(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
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-410
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
- Announced July 2009
- Replacement is Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P1 Overview
The following is a in depth overview of the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both offered by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the E-P1 (12MP) is very close and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

The E-420 was unveiled 13 months earlier than the E-P1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the E-420 grades against the E-P1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P1 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-420 & Olympus PEN E-P1. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-420 Gallery & Olympus E-P1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Olympus E-P1
E-420 | E-P1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Olympus E-420
E-P1 | E-420 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2009 | ![]() | June 2008 | Newer by 13 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-P1
E-420 | E-P1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P1 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-420 has exterior measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-P1 has sizing of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the E-420 against the E-P1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-420 and E-P1 is 77 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P1 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by viewing specs. The image below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-420 and E-P1.
All in all, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Olympus E-P1 to render greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-420 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P1 Specifications
Olympus E-420 | Olympus PEN E-P1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus E-420 | Olympus PEN E-P1 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2008-06-23 | 2009-07-29 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III | TruePic V |
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 | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4032 x 3024 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 45 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | - | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video format | - | Motion JPEG |
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 426g (0.94 lb) | 355g (0.78 lb) |
Dimensions | 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 56 | 55 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.5 | 21.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | 10.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 527 | 536 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 500 photographs | 300 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | BLS-1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC card |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch price | $999 | $182 |