Olympus SH-3 vs Sony A100

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus SH-3 vs Sony A100, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the SH-3 (16MP) and A100 (10MP) and the SH-3 (1/2.3") and A100 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The SH-3 was revealed 9 years later than the A100 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the SH-3 grades vs the A100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus SH-3 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A100. The full galleries are available at Olympus SH-3 Gallery and Sony A100 Gallery.

In case you're planning to carry your camera, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SH-3 has outside dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Sony A100 has dimensions of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SH-3 vs Sony A100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the SH-3 compared to the A100.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SH-3 and A100 is 88 and 64 respectively.

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-3 and A100.

Clearly, both of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SH-3 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Olympus SH-3 will produce more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The younger SH-3 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.