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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed August 2008
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-510
Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P2
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are produced by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the E-P1 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-520 was released 11 months prior to the E-P1 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-520 matches up versus the E-P1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus E-P1

 E-520 E-P1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Olympus E-520

 E-P1 E-520 
LaunchedJuly 2009August 2008More recent by 11 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-P1

 E-520 E-P1 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-520 enjoys physical measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Olympus E-P1 has specifications of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the E-520 compared to the E-P1.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and E-P1 is 68 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to see the difference between sensor measurements simply by checking specifications. The visual underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and E-P1.

Plainly, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus E-P1 to resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older E-520 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-520
Portrait photography with Olympus E-P1
59
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography information
Olympus E-P1 Street photography information
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-520
Sports photography with Olympus E-P1
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good battery life (650 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
40
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography info
Olympus E-P1 Travel photography info
52
good battery life (650 per charge)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
43
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery (300 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-P1 as a Landscape photography camera
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (650 shots)
tiny screen (2.7")
low megapixels (10MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-520
Vlogging with Olympus E-P1
9
no video
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-P1
 Olympus E-520Olympus PEN E-P1
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-520 Olympus PEN E-P1
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2008-08-20 2009-07-29
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 grams (1.22 pounds) 355 grams (0.78 pounds)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 55
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 10.4
DXO Low light rating 548 536
Other
Battery life 650 photographs 300 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $400 $182