Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM1

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both manufactured by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the E-PM1 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-520 was manufactured 4 years before the E-PM1 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-520 matches up versus the E-PM1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-520 and Olympus PEN E-PM1. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-520 Gallery and Olympus E-PM1 Gallery.

For those who are going to lug around your camera, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-520 features outside 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-PM1 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the E-520 compared to the E-PM1.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and E-PM1 is 68 and 89 respectively.

Typically, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading through specifications. The photograph underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and E-PM1.

Plainly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Olympus E-PM1 to give more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older E-520 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.