• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A900 advantages over Olympus SP-100

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 880 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    81 mm vs 133 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    11 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus SP-100 advantages over Sony A900

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $3000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Newer
    11 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    589g vs 939g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.3 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A900

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SP-100
Olympus SP-100

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A850

Sony A900
Sony A850
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony A900 vs Sony A850

Olympus SP-100
Sony A850
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A900
Nikon D800
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A900 vs Nikon D800

Olympus SP-100
Nikon D800
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A900
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A900 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Olympus SP-100
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Sony A900
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A900 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Olympus SP-100
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Compared to Panasonic FZ70

Sony A900
Panasonic FZ70
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A900 vs Panasonic FZ70

Olympus SP-100
Panasonic FZ70
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ70

Compare Other Cameras?