Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A390

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus SZ-10 and Sony A390, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the A390 (14MP) is very close but the SZ-10 (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-10 was unveiled 7 months after the A390 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-10 being a Compact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SZ-10 grades versus the A390 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-10 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-10 Gallery and Sony A390 Gallery.

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-10 offers exterior measurements of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Sony A390 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-10 and Sony A390 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the SZ-10 compared to the A390.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-10 and A390 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Typically, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by viewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-10 and A390.

Clearly, both of these cameras provide the same megapixel count but different sensor dimensions. The SZ-10 has the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging. The younger SZ-10 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.