Olympus E-510 vs Sony HX400V

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus E-510 vs Sony HX400V, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-510 (10MP) and HX400V (20MP) and the E-510 (Four Thirds) and HX400V (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-510 was launched 7 years earlier than the HX400V and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-510 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX400V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-510 grades against the HX400V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-510 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-510 Gallery and Sony HX400V Gallery.

If you're intending to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-510 has got physical measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Sony HX400V has measurements of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") having a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-510 vs Sony HX400V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the E-510 compared to the HX400V.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-510 and HX400V is 69 and 62 respectively.

In many cases, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements purely by seeing specifications. The visual underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-510 and HX400V.

To sum up, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-510 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony HX400V will provide more detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older E-510 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.