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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs

Olympus E-520
(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
  • Launched August 2008
  • Replaced the Olympus E-510
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Following is a complete review of the Olympus E-520 versus Olympus E-PM2, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both produced by Olympus. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-520 was unveiled 5 years prior to the E-PM2 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-520 scores vs the E-PM2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-520 E-PM2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-520

 E-PM2 E-520 
IntroducedMay 2013August 2008More modern by 57 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-PM2

 E-520 E-PM2 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-520 provides exterior measurements 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-PM2 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-520 versus Olympus E-PM2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the E-520 vs the E-PM2.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and E-PM2 is 68 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The image below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and E-PM2.

Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Olympus E-PM2 to give you more detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged E-520 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography highlights
59
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-520
Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
provides focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography information
Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography information
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great battery life (650 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
has no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
52
great battery life (650 CIPA)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
66
provides focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-520
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM2
58
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (650 per charge)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
no Time Lapse function
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
36
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus E-520Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-520 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2008-08-20 2013-05-21
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 surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 3 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 gr (1.22 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 72
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 12.2
DXO Low light rating 548 932
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 360 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-5
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/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $400 $448