Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL8
68 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44


86 Imaging
54 Features
76 Overall
62
Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL8 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- Superseded the Olympus E-510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)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
- Announced September 2016
- Previous Model is Olympus E-PL7
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL9

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL8 Overview
Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-520 versus Olympus E-PL8, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both manufactured by Olympus. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and E-PL8 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

The E-520 was unveiled 9 years earlier than the E-PL8 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-520 grades vs the E-PL8 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL8 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-520 and Olympus PEN E-PL8. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-520 Gallery and Olympus E-PL8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus E-PL8
E-520 | E-PL8 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Olympus E-520
E-PL8 | E-520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | September 2016 | ![]() | August 2008 | Newer by 98 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+807k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-PL8
E-520 | E-PL8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL8 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-520 has physical dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL8 has measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-520 versus Olympus E-PL8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the E-520 and the E-PL8.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and E-PL8 is 68 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL8 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The pic below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and E-PL8.
Clearly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should count on the Olympus E-PL8 to give you extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged E-520 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PL8 Specifications
Olympus E-520 | Olympus PEN E-PL8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus E-520 | Olympus PEN E-PL8 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2008-08-20 | 2016-09-19 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | TruePic VII |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Min enhanced ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 81 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 45 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 1,037k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 8.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | no built-in flash |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | H.264, Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 552 grams (1.22 lb) | 357 grams (0.79 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 548 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 650 shots | 350 shots |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at release | $400 | $500 |