Olympus 1 vs Sony A500
79 Imaging
37 Features
65 Overall
48
![Olympus Stylus 1 front Olympus Stylus 1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-Stylus-1/Olympus-1-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500/Sony-A500-front.jpg)
63 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
52
Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-300mm (F2.8) lens
- 402g - 116 x 87 x 57mm
- Revealed November 2013
- New Model is Olympus 1s
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Revealed August 2009
- Replacement is Sony A560
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 Overview
Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus 1 versus Sony A500, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the 1 (12MP) and the A500 (12MP) is relatively close but the 1 (1/1.7") and A500 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
The 1 was revealed 4 years later than the A500 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus 1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a quick summary of how the 1 scores vs the A500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Stylus 1 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The full galleries are provided at Olympus 1 Gallery and Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus 1 over the Sony A500
1 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2013 | ![]() | August 2009 | Fresher by 52 months |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+810k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Olympus 1
A500 | 1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus 1 and Sony A500
1 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry your camera, you need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus 1 offers exterior measurements of 116mm x 87mm x 57mm (4.6" x 3.4" x 2.2") and a weight of 402 grams (0.89 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Examine the Olympus 1 versus Sony A500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the 1 and the A500.
![Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 size comparison Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-Stylus-1-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-size-comparison.jpg)
Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 and A500 is 79 and 63 respectively.
![Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-Stylus-1-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The graphic here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 and A500.
As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The 1 offers the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging. The younger 1 will have an edge in sensor tech.
![Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-Stylus-1-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-Stylus-1-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A500-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Olympus 1 vs Sony A500 Specifications
Olympus Stylus 1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus Stylus 1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2013-11-25 | 2009-08-27 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic VI | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 41.5mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3968 x 2976 | 4272 x 2848 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 28-300mm (10.7x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/2.8 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 1,040k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,440k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 7.0 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-on, off, redeye reduction slow sync, full, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/2000 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p); high speed: 640 x 480 (120p), 320 x 240 (240p) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 402g (0.89 lb) | 630g (1.39 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 116 x 87 x 57mm (4.6" x 3.4" x 2.2") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 51 | 64 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.7 | 21.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.6 | 11.6 |
DXO Low light rating | 179 | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 410 photographs | 520 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $700 | $638 |