Olympus E-420 vs Samsung GX-10

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10
      55
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      60
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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-420 and the Samsung GX-10, 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-420 was introduced in June 2008 and Samsung GX-10 was introduced in September 2006. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus E-420 Highlights

      • 10.0 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 3 Focus Points
      • 2.7" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Samsung GX-10 Highlights

      • 10.75 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.5" 210k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Olympus E-420
      4. Advantage of Samsung GX-10
      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-420 and Samsung GX-10.

      PROS

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      •   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 - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56
      •   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
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.75 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k 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


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

      AVERAGE

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz)

      Advantage of Olympus E-420

      Olympus E-420
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus E-420 over Samsung GX-10.

      Olympus E-420 vs Samsung GX-10
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 2.7" vs 2.5"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 210k dot
      Live View vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 60 sec vs 30 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
      Lighter 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz) vs 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-420.

      Olympus E-410
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-500
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      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Olympus E-450
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-300
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Olympus E-330
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      7.94 MP

      Olympus E-620
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus E-510
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-520
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus E-400
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-600
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-30
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Advantage of Samsung GX-10

      Samsung GX-10
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Samsung GX-10 over Olympus E-420.

      Olympus E-420 vs Samsung GX-10
      Larger Sensor Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C
      Higher Sensor Resolution 10.0 Megapixel vs 10.75 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 3648 x 2736 vs 3872 x 2592
      More Focus Points 3 vs 11
      Image Stabilization vs Sensor Shift
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.46x vs 0.63x
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Environmental Sealing vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Samsung GX-10.

      Samsung GX-1L
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Samsung GX-1S
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Samsung GX-20
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      APS-C

      15.1 MP

      Panasonic G100
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.3 MP

      Samsung NX30
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      APS-C

      20.3 MP

      Sigma fp
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      Full Frame

      24.6 MP

      Samsung NX10
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      APS-C

      15 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Panasonic G6
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.05 MP

      Leica M9-P
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      Full Frame

      18.0 MP

      Canon RP
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      Full Frame

      26.2 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 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-420 Samsung GX-10
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Olympus E-420 Samsung GX-10
        No Video Capture
        Low Resolution Sensor10.0 Megapixel10.75 Megapixel
        Low Native ISO1,6001,600
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points311
        No Face Detection
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot210k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.5 fps3.0 fps
        No HDMI Output
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Olympus E-420 has a 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and Samsung GX-10 has a 2.5" screen with 210k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Olympus E-420 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderSamsung GX-10 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. They both have 95% coverage.

      Sensor

      Olympus E-420 features a 10.0 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS 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. Samsung GX-10 features a 10.75 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 246.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.


      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-420 is equipped with TruePic III processor and 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. Samsung GX-10 can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3008 x 2000, 1824 x 1216 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Olympus E-420 has Four Thirds lens mount and Samsung GX-10 has Pentax KAF2 lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor in Olympus E-420 its crop factor 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. Due to APS-C sensor in Samsung GX-10 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Samsung GX-10

      Samsung GX-10 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus E-420 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II), xD Picture Card card slot. Samsung GX-10 has a single SD/SDHC/MMC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Samsung GX-10 has Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus E-420, and up to 1/4000 sec on Samsung GX-10. Olympus E-420 can shoot continuously up to 3.5 fps. Samsung GX-10 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Olympus E-420. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus E-420 body has dimensions of 130 x 91 x 53 mm (5.12 x 3.58 x 2.09") and Samsung GX-10 body has dimensions of 142 x 101 x 70 mm (5.59 x 3.98 x 2.76"). Olympus E-420 weighs 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz) and Samsung GX-10 weighs 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz).

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      130 mm

      91 mm

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      142 mm

      101 mm

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      91 mm

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      101 mm

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      53 mm

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      70 mm

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      Size comparisons of Olympus E-420 and Samsung GX-10

      Olympus E-420 and Samsung GX-10 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-420

      Samsung GX-10

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      73
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      GOOD
      70
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      72
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      GOOD
      79
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz)
      GOOD
      80
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      GOOD
      81
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      GOOD
      82
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus E-420 and Samsung GX-10 and give them scores of 55 and 60 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-420

      Samsung GX-10

      OVERALL
      55
      OVERALL
      60

      Sensor

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.75 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      0
      •   Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      GOOD
      78
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot

      Connectivity

      Olympus E-420

      Samsung GX-10

      POOR
      40
      •   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
      POOR
      52
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   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-420

      Samsung GX-10

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      GOOD
      77
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz)


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

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