• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus E-420
  • Sigma SD1 Merrill
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: E-420 SD1 Merrill
Alternate Model Number(s):   SD1
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $599.99 $2299.00
Street Price: $399.95 $8,492.13
Date Available: 2008-05-30 2011-06-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 16.0 oz (453 g)
includes batteries
28.1 oz (796 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 in.
(130 x 91 x 53 mm)
5.7 x 4.5 x 3.1 in.
(146 x 114 x 80 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Foveon X3
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 14.8
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.3mm x 13mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.74 microns 5.00 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG Full Color
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Not needed
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 56  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.5  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.4  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 527  
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)
4704 x 3136 (14.8 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2336 x 1568 (3.7 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.ORF) JPEG, RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.5 4.1
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: No
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Four Thirds Sigma SA bayonet
Lens: Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 84mm 26 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 14 - 42mm 17 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 2.90x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/2.8 - f/22 (W/T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 58.0mm 77.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
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 with 11-point Twin Cross AF Sensor; Single AF, Continuous AF (with AF motion prediction function), Manual
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD (playback only)
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.92x mag., 14mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; Pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.95x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -3 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.46x 0.63x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x 0.95x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 460,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x  
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 1600 (1/3EV steps) 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
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, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash and Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/8000 - 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%) 77-segment Evaluative, Center-Weighted Average, Center Area, Spot Metering; EV 1 to 20 (50mm F1.4 : ISO100)
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  
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. S-TTL (17mm lens angle covered)
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 11.0 m / 36.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens aperture Lens aperture dependent.
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive / xD CF1
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.ORF) RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format:    
Included Memory: No memory included 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 No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: RM-UC1 cable, RM-1 IR Optional RS-31 IR Wireless, CR-21 Wired
Connections (extended): Dedicated multi-connector; Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 is available Wired Remote, DC Input jacks
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.50 0.78
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50 0.78
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 14 7
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.5 4.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 13 7
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 0.38 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 0.244 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.16 seconds 0.52 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds 0.088 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 Autofocus Lag: Auto Area AF = 0.466s
Startup Time: 0.8 seconds 4.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.5 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): 500 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLS-1 Proprietary BP-21
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLS-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-21 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 Sigma Photo Pro 5.0
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Live View with Onsreen Autofocus, Face Detection, HyperCrystal II LCD, Shadow Adjustment, Perfect Shot Preview, Dust Reduction, Wireless Flash Capability. 46-megapixel 23.5 x 15.7mm APS-C full-color sensor, weather-resistant magnesium alloy body, dual "TRUE II" image processing engines, 11-point Twin Cross AF sensor, CompactFlash Type 1 with UDMA support.