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Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Olympus 8000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.5-5.1) lens
  • 182g - 95 x 62 x 22mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Alternate Name is mju Tough 8000
Sony A500
(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
  • Revealed August 2009
  • Successor is Sony A560
Photography Glossary

Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the 8000 (12MP) and the A500 (12MP) is very similar but the 8000 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The 8000 was introduced about the same time to the A500 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus 8000 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the 8000 grades against the A500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus 8000 over the Sony A500

 8000 A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Olympus 8000

 A500 8000 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus 8000 and Sony A500

 8000 A500 
RevealedJuly 2009August 2009Similar age
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus 8000 enjoys exterior dimensions of 95mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 182 grams (0.40 lbs) and the Sony A500 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the 8000 against the A500.

Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 8000 and A500 is 94 and 63 respectively.

Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the 8000 and A500.

Clearly, both cameras feature the identical megapixel count but different sensor sizes. The 8000 has got the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field trickier.

Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus 8000 Portrait photography details
Sony A500 Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
63
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus 8000 Street photography advice
Sony A500 Street photography advice
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Olympus 8000 Sports photography details
Sony A500 Sports photography details
34
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 8000 Travel photography factors
Sony A500 Travel photography factors
61
weather proof
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
43
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (520 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus 8000 Landscape photography factors
Sony A500 Landscape photography factors
35
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery pack (520 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 8000 Vlogging features
Sony A500 Vlogging features
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
9
no video recording
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Olympus 8000 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 8000 and Sony A500
 Olympus Stylus Tough 8000Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Also referred to as mju Tough 8000 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-07-01 2009-08-27
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 64 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.1 -
Macro focusing range 2cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 1/4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 182 grams (0.40 pounds) 630 grams (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $380 $638