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Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230

Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Increase to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Revealed October 2005
  • Also Known as EVOLT E-500
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-510
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A200
  • Later Model is Sony A290
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-500 (8MP) and the A230 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the E-500 (Four Thirds) and A230 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-500 was launched 4 years earlier than the A230 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-500 grades vs the A230 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Sony A230

 E-500 A230 

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus E-500

 A230 E-500 
LaunchedMay 2009October 2005Newer by 43 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k215kCrisper screen (+15k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Sony A230

 E-500 A230 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-500 offers outside measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-500 vs the A230.

Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-500 and A230 is 70 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions only by checking out technical specs. The image underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-500 and A230.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-500 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Sony A230 will show greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-500 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-500
Portrait photography with Sony A230
48
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
low MP (8MP)
54
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-500
Street photography with Sony A230
56
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (479 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
37
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low MP (8MP)
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
terrible battery (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography info
Sony A230 Travel photography info
52
lighter than competition in class (479g)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low MP (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
45
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (230 shots)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography info
Sony A230 Landscape photography info
43
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (8 megapixels)
low maximum ISO (400)
lack of Timelapse recording
51
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (10MP)
terrible battery (230 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 Vlogging advice
Sony A230 Vlogging advice
9
lack of video recording
9
can't shoot video
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Olympus E-500 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Sony A230
 Olympus E-500Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Also referred to as EVOLT E-500 -
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2005-10-21 2009-05-18
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3264 x 2448 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 400 3200
Highest boosted ISO 1600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 215 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic input
Headphone input
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 479 grams (1.06 lbs) 490 grams (1.08 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 63
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
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 SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $600 $569