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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SZ-10

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Olympus SZ-10 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SZ-10 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 SZ-10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-504mm (F3.1-4.4) lens
  • 215g - 106 x 67 x 38mm
  • Launched February 2011
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SZ-10 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-520 versus Olympus SZ-10, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Olympus. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and SZ-10 (14MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and SZ-10 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-520 was brought out 3 years earlier than the SZ-10 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus SZ-10 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-520 matches up against the SZ-10 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Olympus SZ-10

 E-520 SZ-10 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Olympus E-520

 SZ-10 E-520 
LaunchedFebruary 2011August 2008Fresher by 30 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Olympus SZ-10

 E-520 SZ-10 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SZ-10 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-520 features physical 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) whilst the Olympus SZ-10 has specifications of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-520 versus Olympus SZ-10 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the E-520 against the SZ-10.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SZ-10 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and SZ-10 is 68 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SZ-10 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SZ-10 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing simply by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and SZ-10.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-520 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Olympus SZ-10 will provide extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The older E-520 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SZ-10 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SZ-10 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SZ-10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography factors
Olympus SZ-10 Portrait photography factors
59
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10MP)
33
good MP (14MP)
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography advice
Olympus SZ-10 Street photography advice
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (215g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-520
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-10
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
great battery life (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
40
long zoom range (28-504mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography features
Olympus SZ-10 Travel photography features
52
great battery life (650 shots)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
65
lighter than competition (215 grams)
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
long reach (504mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (220 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography factors
Olympus SZ-10 Landscape photography factors
58
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (650 shots)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
40
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging info
Olympus SZ-10 Vlogging info
9
can't shoot video
31
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
lighter than competition (215 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
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Olympus E-520 vs Olympus SZ-10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Olympus SZ-10
 Olympus E-520Olympus SZ-10
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-520 Olympus SZ-10
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2008-08-20 2011-02-08
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic III+
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-504mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-4.4
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 grams (1.22 lbs) 215 grams (0.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" 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 images 220 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $400 $300