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Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Olympus E-520 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44

Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520 Key Specs

Nikon D5500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Older Model is Nikon D5300
  • Renewed by Nikon D5600
Olympus E-520
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 552g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched August 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-510
Photography Glossary

Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the D5500 (24MP) and E-520 (10MP) and the D5500 (APS-C) and E-520 (Four Thirds) possess different sensor sizing.

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The D5500 was unveiled 6 years after the E-520 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the D5500 grades versus the E-520 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Olympus E-520

 D5500 E-520 
LaunchedJanuary 2015August 2008Newer by 78 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Nikon D5500

 E-520 D5500 

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Olympus E-520

 D5500 E-520 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you should factor its weight and size. The Nikon D5500 has exterior dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) while the Olympus E-520 has specifications of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the D5500 compared to the E-520.

Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D5500 and E-520 is 71 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by reviewing a spec sheet. The image underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5500 and E-520.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D5500 having a larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon D5500 will offer you extra detail having an extra 14MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more recent D5500 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5500
Portrait photography with Olympus E-520
79
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
58
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5500 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-520 Street photography highlights
75
fully articulated screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
lighter than average in class (420g)
great ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-520 Sports photography factors
68
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
good battery pack (820 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great battery (650 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-520 as a Travel photography camera
81
good battery pack (820 per charge)
lighter than average in class (420g)
comes with focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
52
great battery (650 per charge)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-520 as a Landscape photography camera
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (820 shots)
does not have image stabilization
57
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
great battery (650 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-520 as a Vlogging camera
75
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone support
lighter than average in class (420 grams)
does not have image stabilization
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-520 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Olympus E-520
 Nikon D5500Olympus E-520
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon D5500 Olympus E-520
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2015-01-06 2008-08-20
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 25600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 39 3
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 309 45
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2" 2.7"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 420 grams (0.93 pounds) 552 grams (1.22 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 84 55
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 10.4
DXO Low light rating 1438 548
Other
Battery life 820 pictures 650 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14,EN-EL14a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $700 $400