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Olympus E-500 vs Sony G3

Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-500 vs Sony G3 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Expand to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Launched October 2005
  • Also Known as EVOLT E-500
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-510
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-500 vs Sony G3 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Olympus E-500 and Sony G3, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-500 (8MP) and the G3 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the E-500 (Four Thirds) and G3 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-500 was released 4 years prior to the G3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-500 matches up vs the G3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Sony G3

 E-500 G3 

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Olympus E-500

 G3 E-500 
LaunchedJanuary 2009October 2005Newer by 39 months
Screen dimension3.5"2.5"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution921k215kCrisper screen (+706k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Sony G3

 E-500 G3 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-500 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-500 offers outside dimensions of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) and the Sony G3 has specifications of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

See the Olympus E-500 and Sony G3 in the 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 are utilising during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the E-500 vs the G3.

Olympus E-500 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-500 and G3 is 70 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The picture here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-500 and G3.

All in all, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-500 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony G3 will produce greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged E-500 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-500 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-500 Portrait photography details
Sony G3 Portrait photography details
48
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no liveview
low resolution (8MP)
26
focusing manually
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography details
Sony G3 Street photography details
56
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than others (479 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
max ISO too low (400)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-500
Sports photography with Sony G3
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low resolution (8MP)
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography factors
Sony G3 Travel photography factors
52
lighter than others (479g)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low resolution (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
50
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-500
Landscape photography with Sony G3
43
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5")
no liveview
no image stabilization
low resolution (8 megapixels)
max ISO too low (400)
missing Time Lapse function
36
focusing manually
bigger than average screen (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-500
Vlogging with Sony G3
9
no video
27
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic port
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Olympus E-500 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Sony G3
 Olympus E-500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Also called as EVOLT E-500 -
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2005-10-21 2009-01-08
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 8MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3264 x 2448 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 1600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 3.5"
Display resolution 215k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 1 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
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)
Maximum video resolution None 640x480
Video data 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 479g (1.06 pounds) 185g (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $600 $200