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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-520

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Olympus E-520 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-520 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-3
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
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-520 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-520, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both offered by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the E-520 (10MP) is very similar and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-5 was announced 2 years after the E-520 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-5 grades versus the E-520 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Olympus E-520

 E-5 E-520 
LaunchedFebruary 2011August 2008Newer by 30 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus E-5

 E-520 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-520

 E-5 E-520 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-520 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-5 has got outer dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-520 has specifications of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-520 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-5 versus the E-520.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-520 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and E-520 is 58 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-520 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-520 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and E-520.

As you can see, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Olympus E-5 to offer greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more modern E-5 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-520 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-520 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-520 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-520 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
59
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography details
Olympus E-520 Street photography details
71
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-5
Sports photography with Olympus E-520
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
better than average battery power (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (4.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography features
Olympus E-520 Travel photography features
56
weather sealing
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
52
better than average battery power (650 shots)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-520 as a Landscape photography camera
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
2 card slots
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (650 shots)
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution sensor (10MP)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging info
Olympus E-520 Vlogging info
64
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
does have mic support
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-520 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Olympus E-520
 Olympus E-5Olympus E-520
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-5 Olympus E-520
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-02-03 2008-08-20
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 3
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 45
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 lbs) 552g (1.22 lbs)
Dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 55
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 21.4
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 10.4
DXO Low light score 519 548
Other
Battery life 870 photos 650 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Storage slots Two 1
Price at launch $1,700 $400