Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ3

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus E-520 versus Panasonic SZ3, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and SZ3 (16MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and SZ3 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The E-520 was introduced 5 years prior to the SZ3 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-520 grades vs the SZ3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-520 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-520 Gallery & Panasonic SZ3 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-520 provides physical 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) and the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-520 versus Panasonic SZ3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the E-520 and the SZ3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and SZ3 is 68 and 96 respectively.

Sometimes, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through specs. The picture underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-520 and SZ3.

All in all, the two cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-520 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic SZ3 will produce more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.