Olympus E420 vs Olympus E510 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E420
37
WINNER
|
Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E510
35
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E420 and the Olympus E510 are Digital SLRs aimed at photographers who want a compact interchangeable-lens body. The E420 arrived in 2008, one year after the E510's 2007 launch. Both use the Micro 4/3 lens mount, so your lenses carry over if you switch between them. Measurements favour the E420 for travel and everyday carrying. It is the smaller and lighter body at 130 x 91 x 53 mm and 426 g, against 136 x 92 x 68 mm and 490 g for the E510. The E510 is the deeper of the two at 68 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 5, 2008 | March 5, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 91 x 53 mm | 136 x 92 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 426 g | 490 g |
| Optics | 37/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E420 is the stronger choice for action and off-centre composition, with eleven autofocus points against three on the E510. The extra points spread focus coverage wider across the frame, so a subject away from the centre stays easier to lock onto. Its 3.5 fps continuous shooting also edges the E510's 3 fps, giving slightly better odds of catching a decisive moment. Resolution is shared ground: both produce 10 MP files from NMOS sensors in the Micro Four Thirds format, so neither gives extra cropping room. The native ISO range of 100 to 1600 matches too, as does the TruePic III processor. Neither body offers in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld shooting at slow shutter speeds depends 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. |
3.5 fps045 | 3 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. |
110300 | 30300 |
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 ComparisonVideoBoth are stills-only cameras: neither the E420 nor the E510 records video, and neither offers built-in timelapse. For movie clips or interval work you would need a different body. | ||
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 | 34/100 | 30/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E420 offers the more useful rear screen for checking focus and framing in live view, at 2.7 inches against 2.5 inches on the E510. Sharpness is a shared trait, because both LCDs resolve the same 230,000 dots, so neither display is clearer than the other. Flash options are shared: both cameras include a built-in flash and support external flash units, covering quick fill light and stronger lighting setups alike. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a touchscreen, a flip-out screen or weather sealing, so neither body handles geotagging or wireless transfer on its own. | ||
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 | 2.7" | 2.5" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 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 | 57/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E420 leads on battery endurance, with its BLS-1 battery rated at 500 shots against 440 shots from the E510's BLM-1. Under their test conditions that rating favours the E420 on longer outings before a recharge. Card storage matches: both carry dual card slots taking Compact Flash Type I or II and xD Picture Card media, so cards move directly from one body to the other. Neither charges over USB, so both depend on an external charger. | ||
| 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 | BLM-1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Olympus E420 is the better buy for most photographers deciding between these two. Its eleven-point autofocus, 3.5 fps burst, larger rear screen and longer-rated battery all support action, travel and event shooting, and it is the lighter body to carry. Choose the E510 if you prefer its deeper shape or already own BLM-1 batteries; its three-point autofocus and slower burst are otherwise steps down.