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Olympus E-510 vs Sony A99

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43
Olympus E-510 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Olympus E-510 vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched November 2007
  • Other Name is EVOLT E-510
  • Superseded the Olympus E-500
  • Successor is Olympus E-520
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Revealed December 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony A900
  • Replacement is Sony A99 II
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Olympus E-510 vs Sony A99 Overview

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus E-510 and Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the E-510 (10MP) and A99 (24MP) and the E-510 (Four Thirds) and A99 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-510 was introduced 6 years prior to the A99 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-510 matches up vs the A99 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Sony A99

 E-510 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Olympus E-510

 A99 E-510 
RevealedDecember 2012November 2007Newer by 61 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1229k230kSharper display (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-510 and Sony A99

 E-510 A99 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus E-510 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-510 features external dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Sony A99 has proportions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-510 and Sony A99 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-510 compared to the A99.

Olympus E-510 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-510 and A99 is 69 and 57 respectively.

Olympus E-510 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions purely by checking specs. The pic below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-510 and A99.

All in all, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-510 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Sony A99 will give you extra detail using its extra 14MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged E-510 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-510 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-510 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-510 Portrait photography details
Sony A99 Portrait photography details
56
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low MP (10 megapixels)
81
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Street photography camera
Sony A99 as a Street photography camera
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than average (490 grams)
screen does not articulate
75
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-510 Sports photography info
Sony A99 Sports photography info
52
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (10MP)
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-510 Travel photography details
Sony A99 Travel photography details
52
lighter than average (490g)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
low MP (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
60
environment proofing
good resolution (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
lack of Timelapse function
low battery (500 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-510 Landscape photography info
Sony A99 Landscape photography info
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
low MP (10MP)
missing Timelapse function
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery (500 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A99 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
76
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone jack
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Olympus E-510 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-510 and Sony A99
 Olympus E-510Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-510 Sony SLT-A99
Also called EVOLT E-510 -
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2007-11-23 2012-12-12
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 3 19
Cross focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.71x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490g (1.08 lb) 812g (1.79 lb)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 89
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 10.0 14.0
DXO Low light score 442 1555
Other
Battery life - 500 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
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 PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Storage slots One Two
Retail pricing $550 $1,998