Olympus E-420 vs Sony A390
77 Imaging
44 Features
36 Overall
40
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66 Imaging
54 Features
54 Overall
54
Olympus E-420 vs Sony A390 Key Specs
(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
- Old Model is Olympus E-410
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Announced July 2010
- Old Model is Sony A380
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A390 Overview
Following is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-420 vs Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and A390 (14MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and A390 (APS-C) use totally different sensor size.
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The E-420 was launched 3 years earlier than the A390 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-420 grades against the A390 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A390 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-420 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-420 Gallery and Sony A390 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Sony A390
E-420 | A390 |
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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Olympus E-420
A390 | E-420 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2010 | ![]() | June 2008 | More modern by 25 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Sony A390
E-420 | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Identical screen size |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-420 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-420 offers outer measurements 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 A390 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-420 vs Sony A390 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the E-420 and the A390.
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Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-420 and A390 is 77 and 66 respectively.
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison
Often, its hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by checking specs. The image below may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-420 and A390.
All in all, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-420 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A390 will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged E-420 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony A390 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 A390 Specifications
Olympus E-420 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus E-420 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2008-06-23 | 2010-07-28 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor 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 area | 224.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 45 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
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 options | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Highest 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 426 gr (0.94 lb) | 549 gr (1.21 lb) |
Dimensions | 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 56 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.5 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.4 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light score | 527 | 607 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 500 shots | 230 shots |
Type 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 | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $999 | $500 |