Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-300

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus E-400 and the Olympus E-300, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Olympus E-400 was introduced in September 2006 and Olympus E-300 was introduced in January 2005. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus E-400 Highlights

      • 10.0 MP Micro Four Thirds CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 3 Focus Points
      • 2.5" 215k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Olympus E-300 Highlights

      • 8 MP Micro Four Thirds CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 400 Native ISO
      • 3 Focus Points
      • 1.8" 134k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 2.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Olympus E-400
      4. Advantage of Olympus E-300
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus E-400 and Olympus E-300.

      PROS

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 435 g (0.96 lb / 15.34 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8 Megapixel
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz)

      Advantage of Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-400
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus E-400 over Olympus E-300.

      Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-300
      Higher Sensor Resolution 10.0 Megapixel vs 8 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 400
      Max Image Resolution 3648 x 2736 vs 3264 x 2448
      Larger Screen 2.5" vs 1.8"
      Higher Resolution Screen 215k dot vs 134k dot
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
      Higher USB Speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) vs USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
      Lighter 435 g (0.96 lb / 15.34 oz) vs 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-400.

      Olympus E-500
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      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Olympus E-420
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-620
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus E-510
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-450
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-600
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-330
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      Micro Four Thirds

      7.94 MP

      Olympus E-410
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-520
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-3
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Nikon D50
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Olympus E-30
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Advantage of Olympus E-300

      Olympus E-300
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus E-300 over Olympus E-400.

      Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-300
      Manual Exposure Mode vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-300.

      Olympus E-600
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-620
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus E-420
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-500
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      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Olympus E-410
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-520
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-330
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      Micro Four Thirds

      7.94 MP

      Olympus E-510
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-30
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      5 MP

      Olympus E-450
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Olympus E-400 Olympus E-300
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Olympus E-400 Olympus E-300
        No Video Capture
        Small SensorMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
        Low Resolution Sensor10.0 Megapixel8 Megapixel
        Low Native ISO1,600400
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points33
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen215k dot134k dot
        No Live View
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.0 fps2.5 fps
        No HDMI Output
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Olympus E-400 has a 2.5" screen with 215k dot resolution and Olympus E-300 has a 1.8" screen with 134k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinders. Olympus E-400 has 95% coverage with 0.92x (0.46x 35mm equivalent) magnification and magnification.

      Sensor

      Olympus E-400 features a 10.0 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CCD sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600. Olympus E-300 features a 8 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CCD sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 169 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 400 and expands to 100 - 1,600 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Olympus E-400 can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3 aspect ratios. Olympus E-300 can take pictures up to 3264 x 2448 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Four Thirds lens mount. Due to their Micro Four Thirds sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 2x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Olympus E-400 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Olympus E-300 nothing can be done. On Olympus E-300 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Olympus E-400 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus E-400 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II), xD Picture Card card slot. Olympus E-300 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus E-400, and up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus E-300. Olympus E-400 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Olympus E-300 can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 10.00 m at ISO 100 on Olympus E-400. They also accept external flash. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on Olympus E-300.

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus E-400 body has dimensions of 130 x 91 x 53 mm (5.12 x 3.58 x 2.09") and Olympus E-300 body has dimensions of 147 x 85 x 64 mm (5.79 x 3.35 x 2.52"). Olympus E-400 weighs 435 g (0.96 lb / 15.34 oz) and Olympus E-300 weighs 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz).

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      130 mm

      91 mm

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      147 mm

      85 mm

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      91 mm

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      85 mm

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      Size comparisons of Olympus E-400 and Olympus E-300

      Olympus E-400 and Olympus E-300 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      POOR
      51
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      50
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      POOR
      52
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      51
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      POOR
      51
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      50
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      GOOD
      76
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 435 g (0.96 lb / 15.34 oz)
      GOOD
      73
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      GOOD
      82
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 435 g (0.96 lb / 15.34 oz)
      GOOD
      78
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus E-400 and Olympus E-300 and give them scores of 52 and 48 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      OVERALL
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      OVERALL
      48

      Sensor

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      54
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   400 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      POOR
      54
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      POOR
      52
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot

      Connectivity

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      POOR
      41
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      33
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus E-400

      Olympus E-300

      POOR
      45
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 435 g (0.96 lb / 15.34 oz)
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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