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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P2

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P2 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed August 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-510
Olympus E-P2
(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
  • Released April 2010
  • Old Model is Olympus E-P1
  • Successor is Olympus E-P3
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P2 Overview

Following is a complete comparison of the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-P2, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the E-P2 (12MP) is pretty well matched and they use the exact same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-520 was announced 20 months before the E-P2 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the E-520 matches up versus the E-P2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus E-P2

 E-520 E-P2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Olympus E-520

 E-P2 E-520 
ReleasedApril 2010August 2008More modern by 20 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-P2

 E-520 E-P2 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P2 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-520 has got exterior dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) and the Olympus E-P2 has specifications of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).

See the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-P2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-520 versus the E-P2.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and E-P2 is 68 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by checking specifications. The image here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and E-P2.

Plainly, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Olympus E-P2 to give you more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-520 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography details
Olympus E-P2 Portrait photography details
59
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-P2 as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-P2 Sports photography advice
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography info
Olympus E-P2 Travel photography info
52
better than average battery (650 per charge)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
43
no Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-P2 Landscape photography info
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (650 shots)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
60
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging details
Olympus E-P2 Vlogging details
9
no video shooting
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-P2
 Olympus E-520Olympus PEN E-P2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-520 Olympus PEN E-P2
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2008-08-20 2010-04-22
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 grams (1.22 pounds) 355 grams (0.78 pounds)
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 Overall rating 55 56
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 10.4
DXO Low light rating 548 505
Other
Battery life 650 photos 300 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $400 $799