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Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520

Portability
65
Imaging
33
Features
39
Overall
35
Canon PowerShot SX10 IS front
 
Olympus E-520 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45

Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520 Key Specs

Canon SX10 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Newer Model is Canon SX20 IS
Olympus E-520
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 552g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released August 2008
  • Superseded the Olympus E-510
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Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SX10 IS (10MP) and the E-520 (10MP) is relatively well matched but the SX10 IS (1/2.3") and E-520 (Four Thirds) offer different sensor size.

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The SX10 IS was introduced 5 months after the E-520 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX10 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short view of how the SX10 IS scores against the E-520 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX10 IS over the Olympus E-520

 SX10 IS E-520 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Canon SX10 IS

 E-520 SX10 IS 
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX10 IS and Olympus E-520

 SX10 IS E-520 
ReleasedJanuary 2009August 2008Similar age
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX10 IS has external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Olympus E-520 has specifications of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

See the Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX10 IS compared to the E-520.

Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX10 IS and E-520 is 65 and 68 respectively.

Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading through specs. The image here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX10 IS and E-520.

All in all, each of the cameras come with the identical MP albeit different sensor dimensions. The SX10 IS includes the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF more challenging.

Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520 sensor size comparison

Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX10 IS Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-520 Portrait photography factors
39
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
comes with face detection autofocus
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
59
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon SX10 IS Street photography details
Olympus E-520 Street photography details
49
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than average (600 grams)
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX10 IS
Sports photography with Olympus E-520
33
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX10 IS Travel photography info
Olympus E-520 Travel photography info
52
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average (600g)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
better than average battery pack (650 shots)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX10 IS
Landscape photography with Olympus E-520
34
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
58
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (650 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX10 IS
Vlogging with Olympus E-520
52
quite wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic port
heavier than average (600 grams)
9
no video recording
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Canon SX10 IS vs Olympus E-520 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX10 IS and Olympus E-520
 Canon PowerShot SX10 ISOlympus E-520
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX10 IS Olympus E-520
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-01-15 2008-08-20
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focusing range 0cm -
Amount of lenses - 45
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) -
Max video resolution 640x480 None
Video data format H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 552 grams (1.22 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 55
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 548
Other
Battery life - 650 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Card slots One One
Cost at release $275 $400