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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FP3

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FP3 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
  • Introduced August 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-510
Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2010
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FP3 Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Olympus E-520 versus Panasonic FP3, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and FP3 (14MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and FP3 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The E-520 was announced 16 months before the FP3 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-520 matches up vs the FP3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Panasonic FP3

 E-520 FP3 
Manually focus More exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Olympus E-520

 FP3 E-520 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010August 2008More modern by 16 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic FP3

 E-520 FP3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FP3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-520 features physical measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Panasonic FP3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-520 versus Panasonic FP3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the E-520 against the FP3.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FP3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and FP3 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FP3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FP3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The pic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-520 and FP3.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-520 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic FP3 will give more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged E-520 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FP3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-520
Portrait photography with Panasonic FP3
59
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
28
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FP3 as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than average (155 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography information
Panasonic FP3 Sports photography information
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography info
Panasonic FP3 Travel photography info
52
better than average battery pack (650 shots)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
60
provides focus via touch
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than average (155 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-520
Landscape photography with Panasonic FP3
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (650 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (10MP)
no Time Lapse recording
37
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging details
Panasonic FP3 Vlogging details
9
can't record video
27
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
heavier than average (155 grams)
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FP3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Panasonic FP3
 Olympus E-520Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-520 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
Type Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Introduced 2008-08-20 2010-01-06
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range - 10cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 552g (1.22 lbs) 155g (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 548 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $400 $182