• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 0.98 inch 285.7mm2
  • 4.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus E-420
  • Sigma SD15
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: E-420 SD15
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.99  
Street Price: $399.95 $1,500.00
Date Available: 2008-05-30 2010-06-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 16.0 oz (453 g)
includes batteries
24.0 oz (680 g)
Size: 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 in.
(130 x 91 x 53 mm)
5.7 x 4.2 x 3.2 in.
(144 x 107 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Foveon X3
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 4.7
Sensor Format: 4/3 0.98 inch
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.3mm x 13mm) 285.66mm2 (20.70mm x 13.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.74 microns 7.84 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.7x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG Full Color
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Not needed
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 56  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.5  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.4  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 527  
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)
2640 x 1760 (4.6 MP, 3:2),
2640 x 1485 (3.9 MP, 16:9),
1872 x 1248 (2.3 MP, 3:2),
1312 x 880 (1.2 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.ORF) JPEG (EXIF 2.21), 12-bit RAW (.X3F)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.5 3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No No
Movie Resolution:
Movie File Format:    
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out:
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Four Thirds Sigma SA bayonet
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 Varies with lens
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 5-point phase-difference detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD (playback only)
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.92x mag., 14mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.9x mag.
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.46x 0.53x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x 0.90x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 460,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x  
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 1600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 1600 (1/3EV steps) Auto (100-200), Auto with Flash (100-400), 50*, 100, 200, 400, 800,1600, 3200* (*Extended mode)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Custom, One-Touch Auto, Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 49-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot / Highlight Spot / Shadow Spot (Spot Approx. 1%) 77-segment Evaluative, Center Weighted Average, Center Area, 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  
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
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. S-TTL; Forced On, Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 11.0 m / 36.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens aperture n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive / xD Microdrive / SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.ORF) 12-bit RAW (.X3F)
Movie File Format:    
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 No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed,FireWire
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: RM-UC1 cable, RM-1 IR RS-31 Wireless, CR-21 Wired
Connections (extended): Dedicated multi-connector; Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 is available DC input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.50  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 14  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.5 3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 13 21
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.14 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.13 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.110 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.16 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 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  
Startup Time: 0.8 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 500 shots 250 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLS-1 Proprietary BP-21
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLS-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-21 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM Sigma Photo Pro 4.0
OS Compatibility:   Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Live View with Onsreen Autofocus, Face Detection, HyperCrystal II LCD, Shadow Adjustment, Perfect Shot Preview, Dust Reduction, Wireless Flash Capability. 14MP Foveon X3 Sensor, True II Processor.