Olympus E-420 vs Sony HX200V

Below, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-420 vs Sony HX200V, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and HX200V (18MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and HX200V (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The E-420 was revealed 4 years before the HX200V and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX200V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-420 scores against the HX200V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-420 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-420 Gallery and Sony HX200V Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-420 enjoys exterior 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) whilst the Sony HX200V has sizing of 122mm x 87mm x 93mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 3.7") along with a weight of 583 grams (1.29 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-420 vs Sony HX200V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-420 against the HX200V.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-420 and HX200V is 77 and 66 respectively.

Generally, its hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The visual below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and HX200V.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-420 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony HX200V will resolve extra detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The older E-420 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.