Olympus E-520 VS Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
At $699 street price for the Olympus E-520 with the 14-42mm (28-84mm) kit lens, the E-520 competes with the Nikon D60 kit with VR lens ($699), Canon 1000D kit with IS lens ($705), Sony A300 kit ($599), and Pentax K200D kit ($699). Olympus E-520 VS Sony A300, Which One Is Better？
The Olympus E-520 is an upgrade to the E-510, which has been the biggest seller for Olympus in the consumer DSLR space. The new model adds processing improvements, more effective in-body IS (Image Stabilization) that works with any lens, and what Olympus describes as on-LCD Autofocus combined with Face Detection. These are the same updates that recently made their way to the tiny E-420, while keeping and improving the “IS with any lens” that was a standout feature of the E-510.
Both cameras share 10 Megapixel resolution, built-in stabilisation which works with any lens and small optical viewfinders, but take different approaches to Live View. The Alpha 300 offers Sony’s new “Quick AF Live View” technology so you can frame photos on the camera’s LCD without sacrificing auto-focusing speed common to other live-view systems.
“Mainstream users stepping up to DSLRs are looking for a similar experience to their point and shoot cameras, but without compromise in speed or performance” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. The A300 (and A350) employ a secondary sensor in their viewfinders to deliver the live video feed. This allows the Sonys to use the same quick AF system as you would normally with the optical viewfinder – and it’s a more sophisticated 9-point system. “Quick AF Live View gives the new Sony A300 model a familiar shooting style without compromising speed - ideal for the growing market of first-time SLR users.” Additionally, the A300 (and A350) sport vertically tilting monitors which allow you to more easily compose at high or low angles.
Olympus has enhanced Live View on the latest models to better compete in this fiercely competitive market. The A300’s Live View is not as accurate as the E-520. And the Olympus also boasts slightly faster continuous shooting, more effective dust reduction, greater customisation, mirror lockup and depth of field previews. Many will however fall for the Sony’s tilting screen and quick, fuss-free Live View implementation.
