Clicky

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
Portability
64
Imaging
48
Features
38
Overall
44

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-410
Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Released July 2006
  • Superseded the Konica Minolta 5D
  • Refreshed by Sony A550
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100 Overview

The following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the A100 (10MP) is very well matched but the E-420 (Four Thirds) and A100 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The E-420 was launched 24 months after the A100 making them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-420 matches up against the A100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Sony A100

 E-420 A100 
ReleasedJune 2008July 2006Newer by 24 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Olympus E-420

 A100 E-420 

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Sony A100

 E-420 A100 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-420 enjoys 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) while the Sony A100 has proportions of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-420 versus the A100.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and A100 is 77 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The image below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-420 and A100.

As you can see, both the cameras have the same MP but not the same sensor dimensions. The E-420 uses the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier. The younger E-420 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-420
Portrait photography with Sony A100
56
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (10MP)
52
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Street photography camera
Sony A100 as a Street photography camera
64
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (426 grams)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 Sports photography advice
Sony A100 Sports photography advice
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
not so great battery power (500 CIPA)
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-420
Travel photography with Sony A100
52
lighter than competitors in class (426g)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (500 shots)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
45
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A100 as a Landscape photography camera
47
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery power (500 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
53
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging info
Sony A100 Vlogging info
9
no video shooting
9
no video recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Sony A100
 Olympus E-420Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-420 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2008-06-23 2006-07-31
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 45 143
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.5 inch
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 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
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) -
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426g (0.94 lbs) 638g (1.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 61
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 22.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 11.2
DXO Low light rating 527 476
Other
Battery life 500 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID - NP-FM55H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $999 $1,000