• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.55 vs 1.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    772 vs 216 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    48 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.

  • Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.

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 XZ-2
Pentax K20D
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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 XZ-2
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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 XZ-2
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Sony DSLR-A500
Pentax MX-1
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus XZ-2
Pentax MX-1
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compared to Canon G16

Sony DSLR-A500
Canon G16
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus XZ-2
Canon G16
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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