Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL1
68 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44
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86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs
(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
- Superseded the Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Announced May 2010
- Later Model is Olympus E-PL1s
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview
Below is a extensive overview of the Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are built by Olympus. The resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is pretty close and they use the exact same sensor size (Four Thirds).
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The E-520 was released 21 months prior to the E-PL1 which makes the cameras a generation apart 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-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-520 matches up against the E-PL1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-520 & Olympus PEN E-PL1. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-520 Gallery & Olympus E-PL1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus E-PL1
E-520 | E-PL1 |
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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-520
E-PL1 | E-520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | May 2010 | ![]() | August 2008 | More recent by 21 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-PL1
E-520 | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Identical screen size |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-520 has outside measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL1 has dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the E-520 compared to the E-PL1.
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Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and E-PL1 is 68 and 86 respectively.
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its tough to picture the gap in sensor measurements simply by viewing technical specs. The visual underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and E-PL1.
As you have seen, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus E-PL1 to result in extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The older E-520 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications
Olympus E-520 | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus E-520 | Olympus PEN E-PL1 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2008-08-20 | 2010-05-17 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Truepic V |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4032 x 3024 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 45 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | - | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/160 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) |
Max 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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 552g (1.22 lbs) | 334g (0.74 lbs) |
Dimensions | 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 55 | 54 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | 21.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | 10.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 548 | 487 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 650 photographs | 290 photographs |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | BLS-1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC card |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $400 | $288 |