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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic G1

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Olympus E-520 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 front
Portability
82
Imaging
46
Features
50
Overall
47

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic G1 Key Specs

Olympus E-520
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 552g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released August 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-510
Panasonic G1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Newer Model is Panasonic G2
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic G1 Overview

Below is a detailed review of the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic G1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the G1 (12MP) is very well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-520 was introduced 5 months earlier than the G1 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic G1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-520 grades vs the G1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Panasonic G1

 E-520 G1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Olympus E-520

 G1 E-520 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic G1

 E-520 G1 
ReleasedAugust 2008January 2009Similar generation
Manually focus More exact focus
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic G1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-520 has got external dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) and the Panasonic G1 has measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") having a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic G1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-520 compared to the G1.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic G1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-520 and G1 is 68 and 82 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic G1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic G1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements only by checking a spec sheet. The visual here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-520 and G1.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic G1 to resolve greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos far more aggressively.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic G1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic G1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic G1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-520
Portrait photography with Panasonic G1
58
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
57
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography info
Panasonic G1 Street photography info
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
72
fully articulated screen
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic G1 Sports photography highlights
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
33
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography advice
Panasonic G1 Travel photography advice
52
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
62
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-520
Landscape photography with Panasonic G1
57
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
small screen (2.7")
low resolution sensor (10MP)
missing Timelapse function
57
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging factors
Panasonic G1 Vlogging factors
9
can't record video
18
can't shoot video
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic G1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Panasonic G1
 Olympus E-520Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-520 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2008-08-20 2009-01-19
Physical type Compact SLR SLR-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 12 megapixel
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 - 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 gr (1.22 lbs) 360 gr (0.79 lbs)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 53
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 21.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 10.3
DXO Low light rating 548 463
Other
Battery life 650 photographs 330 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $400 $0