Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A300

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Olympus FE-4000 and Sony A300, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the FE-4000 (12MP) and the A300 (10MP) is relatively well matched but the FE-4000 (1/2.3") and A300 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The FE-4000 was announced 18 months after the A300 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus FE-4000 being a Compact camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the FE-4000 scores versus the A300 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus FE-4000 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A300. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus FE-4000 Gallery and Sony A300 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus FE-4000 offers physical measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony A300 has specifications of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check out the Olympus FE-4000 and Sony A300 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the FE-4000 vs the A300.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the FE-4000 and A300 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking specifications. The picture below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the FE-4000 and A300.

To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FE-4000 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Olympus FE-4000 will give you more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher FE-4000 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.