Sony DSLR-A500 vs Olympus E-5

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Olympus E-5

• Less expensive
  $850 vs $1700 (MSRP)
  Save money for lenses or accessories
• Larger sensor
  APS-C vs 4/3
  More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
• Bigger pixels
  ~ 5.55 vs 4.29 microns
  Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
• Higher effective ISO

  Higher effective ISO

  Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

  Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

  You can learn more at our glossary entry.

  Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.

  DSLR-A500 test data on DxO Mark E-5 test data on DxO Mark
  772 vs 519 iso
  Take photos in low light with less noise
• More dynamic range

  More dynamic range

  Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

  Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

  Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.

  DSLR-A500 test data on DxO Mark E-5 test data on DxO Mark
  11.6 vs 10.5 evs
  Retain detail in highlight and shadows
• Higher extended ISO
  12800 vs 6400 ISO
  Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility