Clicky

Olympus E-420 vs Sony W230

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Olympus E-420 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(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  • Superseded the Olympus E-410
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus E-420 vs Sony W230 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-420 and Sony W230, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively close but the E-420 (Four Thirds) and W230 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The E-420 was released 7 months before the W230 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summation of how the E-420 scores vs the W230 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Sony W230

 E-420 W230 

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Olympus E-420

 W230 E-420 
LaunchedFebruary 2009June 2008Newer by 7 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Sony W230

 E-420 W230 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-420 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-420 enjoys physical dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-420 and Sony W230 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-420 and the W230.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and W230 is 77 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by looking through specs. The image below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and W230.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-420 because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Sony W230 will render extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged E-420 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
56
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography highlights
Sony W230 Street photography highlights
64
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors (426 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 Sports photography info
Sony W230 Sports photography info
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery pack (500 CIPA)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography advice
Sony W230 Travel photography advice
52
lighter than competitors (426 grams)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
47
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (500 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
36
has manual focus
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging details
Sony W230 Vlogging details
9
can't shoot video
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic port
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus E-420 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Sony W230
 Olympus E-420Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-420 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2008-06-23 2009-02-17
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 30-120mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 1 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 gr (0.94 lb) 156 gr (0.34 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $999 $180