• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Olympus E-600

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.55 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    772 vs 541 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.6 vs 10.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 500 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.53x vs 0.48x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-600 advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    60 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • More cross-type AF points
    5 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500
Pentax K20D
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display
Olympus E-600
Pentax K20D
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus E-420

Sony DSLR-A500
Olympus E-420
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Olympus E-600
Olympus E-420
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $400
  • 4/3

Compared to Olympus E-620

Sony DSLR-A500
Olympus E-620
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • More cross-type AF points
Olympus E-600
Olympus E-620
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • 4/3

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
Olympus E-600
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points
Olympus E-600
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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