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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A380

Portability
77
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Olympus E-420 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A380 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
  • Launched June 2008
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-410
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A350
  • Newer Model is Sony A390
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A380 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus E-420 versus Sony A380, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and A380 (14MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and A380 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The E-420 was brought out 14 months prior to the A380 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-420 scores versus the A380 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Sony A380

 E-420 A380 

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Olympus E-420

 A380 E-420 
AnnouncedAugust 2009June 2008More modern by 14 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Sony A380

 E-420 A380 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-420 comes with physical dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony A380 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

See the Olympus E-420 versus Sony A380 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-420 compared to the A380.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and A380 is 77 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by researching a spec sheet. The pic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and A380.

Clearly, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-420 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Sony A380 will result in more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-420 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography information
Sony A380 Portrait photography information
57
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
72
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography highlights
Sony A380 Street photography highlights
64
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (426 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
77
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A380 as a Sports photography camera
39
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
low battery life (500 per charge)
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography features
Sony A380 Travel photography features
53
lighter than competition in class (426 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery life (500 shots)
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
54
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery (500 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A380 as a Landscape photography camera
47
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
low battery life (500 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
61
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
bad battery (500 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging factors
Sony A380 Vlogging factors
9
no video
9
no video
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Sony A380
 Olympus E-420Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-420 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2008-06-23 2009-08-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426 grams (0.94 lbs) 519 grams (1.14 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 67
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 11.8
DXO Low light score 527 614
Other
Battery life 500 images 500 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $999 $899