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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P3

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P3 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
  • Announced August 2008
  • Old Model is Olympus E-510
Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-P2
  • Renewed by Olympus E-P5
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P3 Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-P3, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are produced by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the E-P3 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-520 was manufactured 4 years before the E-P3 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-520 matches up against the E-P3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus E-P3

 E-520 E-P3 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-520

 E-P3 E-520 
LaunchedAugust 2011August 2008Fresher by 36 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kSharper screen (+384k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-P3

 E-520 E-P3 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P3 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-520 comes with external dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) and the Olympus E-P3 has sizing of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-P3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-520 versus the E-P3.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and E-P3 is 68 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and E-P3.

As you can see, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Olympus E-P3 to give you extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older E-520 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-520
Portrait photography with Olympus E-P3
59
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10MP)
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography features
Olympus E-P3 Street photography features
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography features
Olympus E-P3 Sports photography features
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
better than average battery power (650 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-P3 Travel photography factors
52
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
offers focus via touch
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography details
58
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-P3 Vlogging factors
9
can't shoot video
35
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone support
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-P3
 Olympus E-520Olympus PEN E-P3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-520 Olympus PEN E-P3
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2008-08-20 2011-08-17
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VI
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 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 3 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 200)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
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 552g (1.22 lb) 369g (0.81 lb)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 51
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 20.8
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 10.1
DXO Low light score 548 536
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 330 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $400 $0