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Olympus E-420 vs Sony G3

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-420 vs Sony G3 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 G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony G3 Overview

Here is a complete review of the Olympus E-420 versus Sony G3, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the G3 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the E-420 (Four Thirds) and G3 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The E-420 was introduced 6 months earlier than the G3 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-420 scores versus the G3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Sony G3

 E-420 G3 

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Olympus E-420

 G3 E-420 
Screen dimension3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Sony G3

 E-420 G3 
LaunchedJune 2008January 2009Similar generation
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-420 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-420 has 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 G3 has measurements of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-420 versus Sony G3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the E-420 versus the G3.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and G3 is 77 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by looking at specifications. The graphic below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-420 and G3.

To sum up, both cameras posses the exact same megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The E-420 provides the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography details
Sony G3 Portrait photography details
56
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low resolution (10MP)
26
you can focus manually
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography features
Sony G3 Street photography features
64
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than others (426g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Sports photography camera
Sony G3 as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
terrible battery pack (500 CIPA)
23
image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography advice
Sony G3 Travel photography advice
52
lighter than others (426 grams)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-420
Landscape photography with Sony G3
47
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
36
you can focus manually
big screen (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging info
Sony G3 Vlogging info
9
no video
27
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Olympus E-420 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Sony G3
 Olympus E-420Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-420 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2008-06-23 2009-01-08
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Available lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3.5 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 1s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution None 640x480
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 gr (0.94 lbs) 185 gr (0.41 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 527 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $999 $200