Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX20V

Here is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-5 versus Sony HX20V, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) and the E-5 (Four Thirds) and HX20V (1/2.3") use different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-5 was launched 17 months prior to the HX20V which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-5 matches up versus the HX20V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-5 Gallery & Sony HX20V Gallery.

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-5 comes with exterior dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-5 versus Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-5 and the HX20V.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and HX20V is 58 and 90 respectively.

Oftentimes, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing purely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and HX20V.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-5 because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Sony HX20V will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older E-5 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.