• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus E-420
  • Nikon D300S
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon D300
D300 vs D300S
Successor:   Nikon D500
D300S vs D500
General
Model Number: E-420 D300S
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.99 $1799.95
Street Price: $399.95 $1,696.95
Date Available: 2008-05-30 2009-08-31
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 16.0 oz (453 g)
includes batteries
33.5 oz (951 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 in.
(130 x 91 x 53 mm)
5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 12.3
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.3mm x 13mm) 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.74 microns 5.50 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 No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 56 70
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.5 22.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.4 12.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 527 787
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)
4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.ORF) JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.5 7.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
Movie File Format:   AVI Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Four Thirds Nikon F
Lens: Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 84mm  
Focal Length (actual): 14 - 42mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 58.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 3-point TTL Phase Difference Detection, 11-point Contrast Detect in Live View mode 51 point (15 cross-type sensors) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.92x mag., 14mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x mag., 19.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.46x 0.63x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x 0.94x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 27.0x
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 200
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 1600 (1/3EV steps) Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Custom, One-Touch Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 49-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot / Highlight Spot / Shadow Spot (Spot Approx. 1%) 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 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 N/A
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2 to 20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
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. Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens aperture Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive / xD CF1 / SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:   Dual slots, CF+SD
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.ORF) NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Movie File Format:   AVI Motion JPEG
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 Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: RM-UC1 cable, RM-1 IR Optional wired
Connections (extended): Dedicated multi-connector; Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 is available Type-C HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Remote Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.50 0.48
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50 0.48
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 14 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.47
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.5 7.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 13 26
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   7.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   17
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   7.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   15
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.14 seconds 0.23 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.13 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   0.47 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.053 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.110 seconds 0.150 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.16 seconds 0.27 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds 0.053 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 Live View lags Hand-held mode Phase-detect AF: 0.473s Hand-held mode Prefocused: 0.053s Tripod mode Contrast-detect AF: 2.5s Tripod mode Prefocused: 0.419s
Startup Time: 0.8 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds 1.7 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 500 shots 950 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLS-1 Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLS-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e 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 PictureProject CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:   Windows, Mac OS X
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Live View with Onsreen Autofocus, Face Detection, HyperCrystal II LCD, Shadow Adjustment, Perfect Shot Preview, Dust Reduction, Wireless Flash Capability. Upgrade to D300 adding 720p HD movies, faster burst rate, and other minor improvements.