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Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV

Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV front
Portability
52
Imaging
53
Features
82
Overall
64

Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Expand to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Announced October 2005
  • Other Name is EVOLT E-500
  • Successor is Olympus E-510
Sony RX10 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-600mm (F2.4-4.0) lens
  • 1095g - 133 x 94 x 145mm
  • Launched September 2017
  • Replaced the Sony RX10 III
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Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV Overview

Following is a extended review of the Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and RX10 IV (20MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and RX10 IV (1") possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-500 was announced 13 years prior to the RX10 IV which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony RX10 IV being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the E-500 matches up vs the RX10 IV in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Sony RX10 IV

 E-500 RX10 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 IV over the Olympus E-500

 RX10 IV E-500 
LaunchedSeptember 2017October 2005More modern by 144 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1440k215kSharper display (+1225k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Sony RX10 IV

 E-500 RX10 IV 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-500 offers outer measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Sony RX10 IV has sizing of 133mm x 94mm x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7") and a weight of 1095 grams (2.41 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the E-500 vs the RX10 IV.

Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-500 and RX10 IV is 70 and 52 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by seeing technical specs. The image below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-500 and RX10 IV.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-500 having a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony RX10 IV will produce extra detail with its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged E-500 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-500 Portrait photography factors
Sony RX10 IV Portrait photography factors
48
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (8MP)
71
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography highlights
Sony RX10 IV Street photography highlights
56
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (479g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
maximum ISO low (400)
64
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
weather proofing
heavier than average in class (1,095g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 Sports photography factors
Sony RX10 IV Sports photography factors
37
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
76
amazing zoom range (24-600mm 25.0 x zoom)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (24.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX10 IV as a Travel photography camera
52
lighter than competition in class (479g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (8MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
56
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (1,095g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography information
Sony RX10 IV Landscape photography information
43
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
maximum ISO low (400)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
62
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-500
Vlogging with Sony RX10 IV
9
can't shoot video
29
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic jack
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than average in class (1,095 grams)
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Olympus E-500 vs Sony RX10 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Sony RX10 IV
 Olympus E-500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
Alternative name EVOLT E-500 -
Class Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2005-10-21 2017-09-12
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3264 x 2448 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 400 12800
Highest boosted ISO 1600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 315
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-600mm (25.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.4-4.0
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Available lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 215k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 24.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 479 grams (1.06 pounds) 1095 grams (2.41 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 133 x 94 x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery life - 400 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $600 $1,698