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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2 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
  • Superseded the Olympus E-510
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and S2 (14MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and S2 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-520 was introduced 4 years prior to the S2 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-520 scores vs the S2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Panasonic S2

 E-520 S2 
Manual focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Olympus E-520

 S2 E-520 
RevealedJanuary 2012August 2008More modern by 41 months

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic S2

 E-520 S2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-520 provides exterior dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S2 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-520 versus the S2.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-520 and S2 is 68 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through specs. The picture underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and S2.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-520 having a larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic S2 will resolve extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics more aggressively. The more aged E-520 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography info
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography info
59
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
34
good resolution (14MP)
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography information
Panasonic S2 Street photography information
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (112 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography info
Panasonic S2 Sports photography info
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
great battery power (280 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography info
Panasonic S2 Travel photography info
52
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
great battery power (280 per charge)
lighter than competition (112 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography information
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography information
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
41
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
great battery power (280 per charge)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging info
Panasonic S2 Vlogging info
9
lack of video recording
33
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition (112 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Panasonic S2
 Olympus E-520Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-520 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2008-08-20 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 3 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Total lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 552g (1.22 pounds) 112g (0.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 280 shots
Battery style Battery Pack 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/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $400 $109