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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Olympus E-520 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12 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
  • Revealed August 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-510
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is fairly close but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and FS12 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

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The E-520 was revealed 8 months earlier than the FS12 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-520 matches up versus the FS12 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Panasonic FS12

 E-520 FS12 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus E-520

 FS12 E-520 
AnnouncedApril 2009August 2008More modern by 8 months

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic FS12

 E-520 FS12 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display size
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-520 has got exterior measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS12 has specifications of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-520 against the FS12.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and FS12 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by viewing technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and FS12.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-520 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic FS12 will provide you with more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography details
58
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
20
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-520
Street photography with Panasonic FS12
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography details
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography details
52
better than average battery pack (650 shots)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
57
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
small screen (2.7")
MP count low (10MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging information
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging information
9
no video
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone support
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus E-520Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-520 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Category Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Revealed 2008-08-20 2009-04-17
Physical type Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 31-124mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 640x480
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552g (1.22 lb) 129g (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $400 $228