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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A7 III

Portability
77
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Olympus E-420 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 III front
Portability
63
Imaging
74
Features
92
Overall
81

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A7 III Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-410
Sony A7 III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 650g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Succeeded the Sony A7 II
  • Successor is Sony A7 IV
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A7 III Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Olympus E-420 versus Sony A7 III, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and A7 III (24MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and A7 III (Full frame) possess different sensor sizes.

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The E-420 was brought out 10 years prior to the A7 III and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A7 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-420 matches up vs the A7 III in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Sony A7 III

 E-420 A7 III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 III over the Olympus E-420

 A7 III E-420 
LaunchedFebruary 2018June 2008More recent by 117 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Sony A7 III

 E-420 A7 III 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A7 III Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-420 provides external dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") and a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony A7 III has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-420 versus Sony A7 III in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-420 against the A7 III.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A7 III size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-420 and A7 III is 77 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A7 III top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A7 III Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements merely by checking specifications. The graphic below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-420 and A7 III.

Plainly, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-420 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A7 III will give you greater detail having its extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The older E-420 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A7 III sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A7 III Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A7 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-420
Portrait photography with Sony A7 III
57
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
MP count low (10MP)
84
you can focus manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7 III as a Street photography camera
64
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (426g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
78
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
comes with focus via touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7 III as a Sports photography camera
39
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (500 per charge)
87
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (610 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography factors
Sony A7 III Travel photography factors
53
lighter than competitors in class (426g)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (500 shots)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
73
better than average battery life (610 per charge)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
MP count good (24MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A7 III Landscape photography highlights
47
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (500 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
85
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery life (610 per charge)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging information
Sony A7 III Vlogging information
9
no video recording
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic jack
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A7 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Sony A7 III
 Olympus E-420Sony Alpha A7 III
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-420 Sony Alpha A7 III
Class Entry-Level DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Released 2008-06-23 2018-02-27
Body design Compact SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 3 693
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 45 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426 gr (0.94 pounds) 650 gr (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 96
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 14.7
DXO Low light score 527 3730
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 610 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 Two
Retail price $999 $1,998