• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus E-420
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A37
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: E-420 A37
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.99 $599.99
Street Price: $399.95  
Date Available: 2008-05-30 2012-06-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 16.0 oz (453 g)
includes batteries
25.6 oz (726 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 in.
(130 x 91 x 53 mm)
4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(124 x 92 x 85 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 16.1
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.3mm x 13mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.74 microns 4.82 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 56 75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.5 23.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.4 12.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 527 799
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
5536 x 2160 (12.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
3872 x 2160 (8.4 MP, Other),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.ORF) JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.5 5.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i(FH)/​24p(FX)/​24p(FH))
1440x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD 1.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Four Thirds Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 84mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 14 - 42mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 58.0mm 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 3-point TTL Phase Difference Detection, 11-point Contrast Detect in Live View mode Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.92x mag., 14mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.15M-dot LCD (380K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.1x magnification, 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a  
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.46x 0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x 1.10x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 2.6
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 230,400 dots (76,800 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 11.8x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 16000
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 1600 (1/3EV steps) Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Custom, One-Touch Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm, Cool, Day, Daylight), Flash, Custom, Color Temp/Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 49-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot / Highlight Spot / Shadow Spot (Spot Approx. 1%) 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, Sport, High Key, Low Key, Digital Image Stabilization, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Panorama* (* Available with the Olympus xD-Picture Card), Beach & Snow Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Portrait, SportsAction, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait, Picture Effect (Posterization (color/B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera (Normal/Cool), Soft High-key, Soft Focus (Hi/Mid/Lo), HDR Painting (Hi/Mid/Lo), Miniature (7 Settings))
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Fill-in, Slow synchronization (1st or 2nd curtain), Manual, Off. Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens aperture Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive / xD MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.ORF) RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   AVCHD 1.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: RM-UC1 cable, RM-1 IR Optional Wired (RM-S1AM/RM-L1AM)
Connections (extended): Dedicated multi-connector; Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 is available Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.50 0.47
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50 0.45
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 14 2
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.5 5.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 13 10
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.14 seconds 0.11 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.13 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.110 seconds 0.080 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.16 seconds 0.32 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds 0.057 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View Full AF lag: Imager AF: 2.588s AF Sensor: 0.635s Hybrid AF: 0.711s Live View Prefocused lag: 0.569s Full AF lag, Wide-area mode = 0.124s
Startup Time: 0.8 seconds 0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds 2.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 500 shots 450 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLS-1 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLS-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM Sony Software CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:   Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Live View with Onsreen Autofocus, Face Detection, HyperCrystal II LCD, Shadow Adjustment, Perfect Shot Preview, Dust Reduction, Wireless Flash Capability. SteadyShot INSIDE Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (up to 4 EV correction), Full HD 1080i60 Video, Up to 7 fps Burst Mode (Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE), Enhanced Object Tracking AF, 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom, Auto Portrait Framing.