Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL2
68 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44


85 Imaging
47 Features
47 Overall
47
Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced August 2008
- Older Model is Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
- Introduced February 2011
- Old Model is Olympus E-PL1s
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview
Following is a in-depth overview of the Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL2, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while 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-PL2 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

The E-520 was announced 3 years prior to the E-PL2 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-520 matches up versus the E-PL2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL2 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-520 & Olympus PEN E-PL2. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-520 Gallery & Olympus E-PL2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus E-PL2
E-520 | E-PL2 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus E-520
E-PL2 | E-520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2011 | ![]() | August 2008 | More modern by 30 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-PL2
E-520 | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 features outer dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL2 has proportions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-520 compared to the E-PL2.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and E-PL2 is 68 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison
Often, its hard to see the difference in sensor sizes just by researching technical specs. The picture below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and E-PL2.
As you have seen, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Olympus E-PL2 to result in greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications
Olympus E-520 | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus E-520 | Olympus PEN E-PL2 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2008-08-20 | 2011-02-11 |
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 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4032 x 3024 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 45 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | - | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video 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 gr (1.22 lb) | 362 gr (0.80 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 55 | 55 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | 21.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | 10.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 548 | 573 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 650 photos | 280 photos |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | BLS-5 |
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 |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $400 | $0 |