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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-520

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus E-520 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-520 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Released November 2003
  • Replacement is Olympus E-3
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
  • Launched August 2008
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-510
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-520 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-520, former being a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both sold by Olympus. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and E-520 (10MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-1 was announced 5 years prior to the E-520 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-1 matches up against the E-520 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus E-520

 E-1 E-520 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus E-1

 E-520 E-1 
LaunchedAugust 2008November 2003Fresher by 57 months
Screen dimension2.7"1.8"Bigger screen (+0.9")
Screen resolution230k134kCrisper screen (+96k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-520

 E-1 E-520 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-520 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-1 has got outside measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") and a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-520 has specifications of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-520 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-1 and the E-520.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-520 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-1 and E-520 is 59 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-520 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-520 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-1 and E-520.

As you can see, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus E-520 to produce greater detail with its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older E-1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-520 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-520 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-520 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-520 Portrait photography info
46
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
resolution not great (5MP)
59
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-1
Street photography with Olympus E-520
57
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
lighter than average in class (735 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-520 Sports photography highlights
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (5MP)
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good battery (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography features
Olympus E-520 Travel photography features
47
lighter than average in class (735 grams)
environment proofing
no Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (5 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
52
good battery (650 CIPA)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-520 as a Landscape photography camera
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inches)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
resolution not great (5MP)
no Time Lapse mode
58
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
good battery (650 CIPA)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-1
Vlogging with Olympus E-520
9
can't record video
9
no video recording
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-520 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-520
 Olympus E-1Olympus E-520
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-1 Olympus E-520
Type Pro DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2003-11-29 2008-08-20
Physical type Large SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 5MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 2560 x 1920 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 3 3
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 45
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 1.8 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 134k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 gr (1.62 lbs) 552 gr (1.22 lbs)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 55
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.4
DXO Low light score not tested 548
Other
Battery life - 650 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $1,700 $400