• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
  • Olympus E-420
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSLR-A300 E-420
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $800.00 $599.99
Street Price: $562.64 $399.95
Date Available: 2008-04-15 2008-05-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 20.5 oz (582 g) 16.0 oz (453 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.1 x 3.9 x 2.9 in.
(131 x 99 x 75 mm)
5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 in.
(130 x 91 x 53 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 10.2 10.0
Sensor Format: APS-C 4/3
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 224.9mm2 (17.3mm x 13mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 6.12 microns 4.74 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 64 56
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.5 21.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.4 10.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 538 527
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3872 x 2592 (10.0 MP, Other),
3872 x 2176 (8.4 MP, 16:9),
2896 x 1936 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
2896 x 1632 (4.7 MP, Other),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1088 (2.1 MP, Other)
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)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, RAW+JPEG; (.ARW) JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.ORF)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 3.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: No No
Movie Resolution:
Movie File Format:    
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out:
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Four Thirds
Lens: Sony 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAL-1870 Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 105mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 70mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.88x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T) f/3.5 - f/22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 38 cm to Infinity
15.0 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 58.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point, center cross TTL phase detection with eye-start and "Quick AF" for Live View 3-point TTL Phase Difference Detection, 11-point Contrast Detect in Live View mode
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.74x magnification SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.92x mag., 14mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.49x 0.46x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x 0.92x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom:   14.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 1600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 100 - 1600 (1/3EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature/Color Filter, Custom Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Custom, One-Touch
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone metering in Live View mode) 49-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot / Highlight Spot / Shadow Spot (Spot Approx. 1%)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night view 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
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Built-in Auto Popup: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear flash sync, Slow Sync, High Speed, Sync, Wireless off camera flash (with Flash HVL-F56AM, F36AM) Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Fill-in, Slow synchronization (1st or 2nd curtain), Manual, Off.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Depends on lens aperture
Max Flash Sync:   1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive / xD
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, RAW+JPEG; (.ARW) 12-bit RAW (.ORF)
Movie File Format:    
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
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: Optional Wired RM-UC1 cable, RM-1 IR
Connections (extended):   Dedicated multi-connector; Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 is available
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   0.50
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.50
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   14
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 3.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 13
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
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
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.16 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.082 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
Startup Time:   0.8 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   3.4 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 730 shots 500 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary BLS-1
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium Ion rechargeabl 1 x Proprietary BLS-1 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
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 10MP version of the A350: Tilting 2.7" LCD with Live View; Quick AF during Live View (pentamirror Tilt mechanism directs light to a dedicated live view image sensor, enabling fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, even during live view.); Super SteadyShot IS; Anti-Dust; Dynamic Range Optimizer. $800 bundled with DT 18-70mm kit lens. Live View with Onsreen Autofocus, Face Detection, HyperCrystal II LCD, Shadow Adjustment, Perfect Shot Preview, Dust Reduction, Wireless Flash Capability.