Olympus E-420 vs Sony A230
77 Imaging
44 Features
36 Overall
40
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69 Imaging
50 Features
40 Overall
46
Olympus E-420 vs Sony A230 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed June 2008
- Superseded the Olympus E-410
(Full Review)
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A230 Overview
The following is a extensive comparison of the Olympus E-420 vs Sony A230, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the A230 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the E-420 (Four Thirds) and A230 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.
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The E-420 was brought out 10 months earlier than the A230 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-420 scores against the A230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A230 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-420 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A230. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-420 Gallery & Sony A230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Sony A230
E-420 | A230 |
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Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus E-420
A230 | E-420 | |||
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Announced | May 2009 | ![]() | June 2008 | Newer by 10 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Sony A230
E-420 | A230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-420 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison
If you're going to travel with your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-420 has got physical measurements 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 A230 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-420 vs Sony A230 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-420 vs the A230.
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Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-420 and A230 is 77 and 69 respectively.
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The pic here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-420 and A230.
Clearly, both cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor dimensions. The E-420 provides the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF more difficult. The more aged E-420 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A230 Specifications
Olympus E-420 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus E-420 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2008-06-23 | 2009-05-18 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic III | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3872 x 2592 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 45 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Max video resolution | None | None |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 426 grams (0.94 lbs) | 490 grams (1.08 lbs) |
Dimensions | 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") | 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 56 | 63 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.5 | 22.3 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | 11.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 527 | 531 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 500 photographs | 230 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $999 | $569 |