Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A500
69 Imaging
35 Features
27 Overall
31


63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-420mm (F3.5-5.4) lens
- 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
- Revealed February 2010
- Replaced the Olympus SP-590 UZ
- Newer Model is Olympus SP-610UZ
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Announced August 2009
- Replacement is Sony A560

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A500 Overview
Following is a extended comparison of the Olympus SP-600 UZ versus Sony A500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SP-600 UZ (12MP) and the A500 (12MP) is very well matched but the SP-600 UZ (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

The SP-600 UZ was released 6 months after the A500 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-600 UZ being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SP-600 UZ matches up against the A500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A500 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SP-600 UZ and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SP-600 UZ Gallery and Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-600 UZ over the Sony A500
SP-600 UZ | A500 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Olympus SP-600 UZ
A500 | SP-600 UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Sony A500
SP-600 UZ | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2010 | ![]() | August 2009 | Similar generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-600 UZ provides exterior measurements of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") along with a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Check the Olympus SP-600 UZ versus Sony A500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SP-600 UZ compared to the A500.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-600 UZ and A500 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The pic below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-600 UZ and A500.
All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical MP but not the same sensor sizes. The SP-600 UZ features the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field harder.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A500 Specifications
Olympus SP-600 UZ | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus SP-600 UZ | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2010-02-02 | 2009-08-27 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3968 x 2976 | 4272 x 2848 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 143 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 28-420mm (15.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.4 | - |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 1/2 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.10 m | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video file format | H.264 | - |
Mic 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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 455 grams (1.00 pounds) | 630 grams (1.39 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 64 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 520 images |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (12 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $189 | $638 |