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Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44
Olympus Stylus XZ-10 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F1.8-2.7) lens
  • 221g - 102 x 61 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Sony A500
(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
  • Released August 2009
  • Later Model is Sony A560
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Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the XZ-10 (12MP) and the A500 (12MP) is pretty similar but the XZ-10 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The XZ-10 was launched 3 years later than the A500 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus XZ-10 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a short summary of how the XZ-10 scores vs the A500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-10 over the Sony A500

 XZ-10 A500 
ReleasedJanuary 2013August 2009Fresher by 42 months
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Olympus XZ-10

 A500 XZ-10 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus XZ-10 and Sony A500

 XZ-10 A500 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus XZ-10 features exterior dimensions of 102mm x 61mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Sony A500 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the XZ-10 compared to the A500.

Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-10 and A500 is 91 and 63 respectively.

Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by going over specs. The photograph below will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-10 and A500.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor sizing. The XZ-10 comes with the tinier sensor which will make getting shallow DOF more challenging. The fresher XZ-10 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus XZ-10
Portrait photography with Sony A500
45
you can focus manually
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
63
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-10 Street photography highlights
Sony A500 Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than others (221 grams)
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-10 Sports photography info
Sony A500 Sports photography info
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (520 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-10 Travel photography advice
Sony A500 Travel photography advice
60
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (221 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
43
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (520 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-10 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A500 as a Landscape photography camera
53
you can focus manually
pretty wide (26mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse recording
60
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
terrible battery life (520 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-10 Vlogging highlights
Sony A500 Vlogging highlights
35
pretty wide (26mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than others (221g)
9
no video
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Olympus XZ-10 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-10 and Sony A500
 Olympus Stylus XZ-10Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus XZ-10 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-01-30 2009-08-27
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/1.8-2.7 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 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 (30 fps, 18Mbps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps, 9Mbps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 221 grams (0.49 lb) 630 grams (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 102 x 61 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.3") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life 240 shots 520 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-50B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $428 $638