Olympus 8010 vs Sony A500

In this write-up, we are looking at the Olympus 8010 versus Sony A500, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the 8010 (13MP) and the A500 (12MP) is fairly similar but the 8010 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The 8010 was released 6 months later than the A500 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus 8010 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the 8010 grades vs the A500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus 8010 Gallery and Sony A500 Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus 8010 has outside measurements of 98mm x 64mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 0.9") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony A500 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check the Olympus 8010 versus Sony A500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the 8010 compared to the A500.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the 8010 and A500 is 92 and 63 respectively.

Usually, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the 8010 and A500.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 8010 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Olympus 8010 will offer greater detail as a result of its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively.