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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A99 II 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
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Replaced the Olympus E-410
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Older Model is Sony A99
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A99 II Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus E-420 versus Sony A99 II, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and A99 II (Full frame) provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-420 was released 9 years earlier than the A99 II and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a short summary of how the E-420 grades vs the A99 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Sony A99 II

 E-420 A99 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Olympus E-420

 A99 II E-420 
LaunchedSeptember 2016June 2008Fresher by 100 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Sony A99 II

 E-420 A99 II 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-420 has got outside dimensions 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 Sony A99 II has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-420 versus Sony A99 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the E-420 compared to the A99 II.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-420 and A99 II is 77 and 57 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing simply by going through specs. The visual below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and A99 II.

All in all, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-420 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony A99 II will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 32MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The older E-420 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-420
Portrait photography with Sony A99 II
56
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
86
focusing manually
megapixel count fantastic (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography details
Sony A99 II Street photography details
64
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (426 grams)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-420
Sports photography with Sony A99 II
38
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
not so great battery (500 per charge)
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
not so great battery power (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Travel photography camera
52
lighter than competition (426 grams)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (500 per charge)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
70
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
megapixel count fantastic (42MP)
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery power (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-420
Landscape photography with Sony A99 II
47
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
not so great battery (500 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
82
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
not so great battery power (490 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging factors
Sony A99 II Vlogging factors
9
no video
78
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone support
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Sony A99 II
 Olympus E-420Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-420 Sony Alpha A99 II
Class Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-06-23 2016-09-19
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 7952 x 5304
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 399
Cross type focus points - 79
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 45 143
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 gr (0.94 lbs) 849 gr (1.87 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 92
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 13.4
DXO Low light rating 527 2317
Other
Battery life 500 images 490 images
Form of battery Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Card slots One Dual
Pricing at launch $999 $3,198