Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL5
68 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44
88 Imaging
51 Features
72 Overall
59
Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL5 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)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
- Launched September 2012
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Its time to look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-520 versus Olympus E-PL5, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are manufactured by Olympus. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and E-PL5 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (Four Thirds).
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe E-520 was launched 5 years earlier than the E-PL5 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-520 grades versus the E-PL5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Photography Glossary Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL5 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-520 & Olympus PEN E-PL5. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-520 Gallery & Olympus E-PL5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus E-PL5
| E-520 | E-PL5 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus E-520
| E-PL5 | E-520 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | September 2012 | August 2008 | More recent by 49 months | |
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies | |||
| Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-PL5
| E-520 | E-PL5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very precise focusing |
Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-520 enjoys exterior measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL5 has sizing of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-520 versus Olympus E-PL5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-520 against the E-PL5.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and E-PL5 is 68 and 88 respectively.
Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is tough to imagine the gap in sensor measurements simply by looking through specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-520 and E-PL5.
As you can plainly see, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus E-PL5 to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older E-520 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.
Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications
| Olympus E-520 | Olympus PEN E-PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Olympus | Olympus |
| Model type | Olympus E-520 | Olympus PEN E-PL5 |
| Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Introduced | 2008-08-20 | 2012-09-17 |
| Physical type | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| 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 | 10MP | 16MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
| Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 25600 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Total focus points | 3 | 35 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Number of lenses | 45 | 107 |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 2.7" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic (optional) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 8.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) |
| Flash options | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/250 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | - | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 552 grams (1.22 lbs) | 325 grams (0.72 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 55 | 72 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | 22.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | 12.3 |
| DXO Low light rating | 548 | 889 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 650 pictures | 360 pictures |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | BLS-5 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail pricing | $400 | $400 |