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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Olympus E-520 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ5 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
  • Old Model is Olympus E-510
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic SZ5, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and SZ5 (14MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and SZ5 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-520 was unveiled 4 years before the SZ5 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-520 grades against the SZ5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Panasonic SZ5

 E-520 SZ5 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Olympus E-520

 SZ5 E-520 
RevealedJuly 2012August 2008Newer by 47 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic SZ5

 E-520 SZ5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you should think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-520 has external dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has specifications of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic SZ5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the E-520 versus the SZ5.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-520 and SZ5 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The picture underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and SZ5.

All in all, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 with its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic SZ5 will provide extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography factors
58
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (10MP)
34
resolution is good (14MP)
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-520
Street photography with Panasonic SZ5
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-520
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography info
52
better than average battery (650 per charge)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography information
57
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (650 shots)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (10MP)
no Timelapse mode
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (136g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Panasonic SZ5
 Olympus E-520Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-520 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2008-08-20 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 3 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Available lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 552 grams (1.22 lbs) 136 grams (0.30 lbs)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 photos 250 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $400 $195