Olympus E410 vs Olympus E420 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E410
35
SCORE
|
Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E420
37
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E410 and Olympus E420 are compact DSLRs sharing the same 130 x 91 x 53 mm body dimensions. The E420 followed a year later, in 2008, and weighs 426 g against 435 g for the E410, a 9 g difference. Both serve as small interchangeable-lens bodies for photographers who want DSLR handling without bulk. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 5, 2007 | March 5, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 91 x 53 mm | 130 x 91 x 53 mm |
| Camera weight | 435 g | 426 g |
| Optics | 34/100 | 37/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E420 is the stronger choice for framing off-centre subjects, with 11 autofocus points against 3 on the E410. The extra points let you place focus directly on a face away from the centre instead of focusing and recomposing. It also shoots at 3.5 fps rather than 3 fps, a modest edge when a subject is moving. The two share the same 10 MP resolution on an NMOS sensor, so neither offers extra room to crop. They also share the Micro 4/3 lens mount, the same 100 to 1600 ISO range, and a 1/4000 second maximum shutter. Neither body has in-body stabilisation, so sharp handheld results in low light depend on the lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10 MP050 | 10 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
NMOS | NMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14 x 18 | 14 x 18 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 3.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic III | TruePic III |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
30300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither the E410 nor the E420 records video, and neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. These are stills-only DSLRs, so anyone who wants movie clips alongside photographs needs a different camera. For pure photography, this shared omission costs nothing in either direction. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 30/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E420 gives you a better screen for checking focus and reviewing shots, at 2.7 inches with 230,000 dots against 2.5 inches and 215,000 dots on the E410. The extra size and detail are especially useful in live view, which both cameras support for tripod work and framing at arm's length. Flash support is a similarity, with a built-in flash for fill light and support for an external flash unit for controlled portraits on both. Neither has GPS, Wi-Fi or weather sealing, so geotagging travel photos requires a separate recorder. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2150001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 60/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCards and batteries are shared, so one set of spares serves either body. Both take CompactFlash (Type I or II) or xD Picture cards in dual slots, letting you carry two card formats at once. Both run on the same BLS-1 battery, rated at 500 shots under its test conditions. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | BLS-1 | BLS-1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most photographers the E420 is the better pick between these two. Its 11 autofocus points make off-centre portraits and candid framing much easier than the E410's 3 points, and its larger 2.7 inch screen helps when reviewing images and working in live view. It is also the lighter body at 426 g.
The E410 matches its successor on resolution, battery life and card storage, so it remains a fully capable alternative if the extra autofocus points and bigger screen do not matter to how you shoot.