Compared to...

Studio scene comparison (JPEG)

This is our standard studio scene comparison shot taken from exactly the same tripod position. Lighting: daylight simulation, >98% CRI. Crops are 100%. Ambient temperature was approximately 22°C (~72°F).

Sony DSLR-A200 vs. Olympus E420

Camera settings:

• Sony DSLR-A200: Minolta 50 mm F1.4 lens, Aperture Priority, ISO 100
  JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters (Standard), Self-Timer
  
  
• Olympus E420: Olympus 50 mm F2 lens, Aperture Priority, ISO 100
  JPEG Large/SHQ, Manual WB, Default Parameters (Normal), Self-Timer
  

Sony DSLR A200	Olympus E420
3,049 KB JPEG (3872 x 2592)	6,102 KB JPEG (3648 x 2736)

Despite both cameras carrying a ten megapixel label the E-420's 4:3 aspect ratio affords it an extra 144 pixels vertically (and our scene as well as resolution chart shots are framed vertically). Because of this the E-420's crops are slightly larger (more magnified) but don't show any more detail than the A200 crops. At a pixel level the Sony's output is visibly sharper. Both cameras handle highlights quite well, delivering a fairly soft 'roll-off' to the highlights on the paperclip crop.