• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus E-420
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A58
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Sony A68
A58 vs A68
General
Model Number: E-420 A58
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.99 $600.00
Street Price: $399.95 $598.00
Date Available: 2008-05-30 2013-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 16.0 oz (453 g)
includes batteries
25.8 oz (731 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 in.
(130 x 91 x 53 mm)
5.1 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(129 x 96 x 78 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 20.1
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.3mm x 13mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.74 microns 4.31 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 74
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.5 23.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.4 12.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 527 753
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)
5456 x 3632 (19.8 MP, 3:2),
5456 x 3064 (16.7 MP, 16:9),
3872 x 2576 (10.0 MP, 3:2),
3872 x 2176 (8.4 MP, 16:9),
2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2),
2736 x 1536 (4.2 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.ORF) JPEG, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.5 4.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i or 24p (24/​17Mbps))
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
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 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital 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; Eye Start AF
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; 1/2-inch, 1.44M-dot OLED Tru-Finder, 100% coverage, 0.88x magnification (0.57x 35mm eq.), 26.5mm from the eyepiece lens / 23mm from the eyepiece frame eye point, -4.0 to +4.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 1,440,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.46x 0.57x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x 0.88x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 460,800 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 15.0x
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, 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 Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Handheld Twilight; Picture Effects: Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature; Sweep Panorama, Anti Motion Blur, Multi Frame Noise Reduction
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, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed sync., Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable for Auto flash and fill-flash mode), Wireless, 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 Multi Interface Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive / xD MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No 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 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
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 Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: RM-UC1 cable, RM-1 IR Optional wired RM-VPR1
Connections (extended): Dedicated multi-connector; Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 is available Type-D Micro HDMI, DC Input, 3.5mm Stereo Micophone Jack, Multi/Micro USB (remote)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.50 0.51
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50 0.55
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):   0.57
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.5 4.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 13 8
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.9
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   5
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.14 seconds 0.13 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 0.082 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.16 seconds 0.33 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds 0.054 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 Shutter Lag, Wide-area Mode = 0.139s
Startup Time: 0.8 seconds 1.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 1.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds 2.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   700 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 500 shots 690 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLS-1 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLS-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM PlayMemories Home, Image Data Converter 4
OS Compatibility:   Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7 SP1/8; Mac OS X v10.5 or later. (Software is Windows only.)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Live View with Onsreen Autofocus, Face Detection, HyperCrystal II LCD, Shadow Adjustment, Perfect Shot Preview, Dust Reduction, Wireless Flash Capability. New 20.1MP Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization, 2.7" 406K-dot tilting LCD, OLED Tru-Finder EVF, 5fps full-resolution burst mode (up to 8fps in Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode), new Lock-on autofocus, Full HD 1080i60 movies, Multi Interface Hot Shoe, new area-specific noise reduction. U.S. availability and pricing TBD.