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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic XS1 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
  • Revealed August 2008
  • Old Model is Olympus E-510
Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

Here is a extensive overview of the Olympus E-520 versus Panasonic XS1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and XS1 (16MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and XS1 (1/2.3") offer different sensor measurements.

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The E-520 was introduced 5 years earlier than the XS1 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-520 grades against the XS1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Panasonic XS1

 E-520 XS1 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Olympus E-520

 XS1 E-520 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013August 2008Fresher by 53 months

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic XS1

 E-520 XS1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 offers physical measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) and the Panasonic XS1 has proportions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-520 versus Panasonic XS1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the E-520 compared to the XS1.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and XS1 is 68 and 97 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by researching technical specs. The visual below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-520 and XS1.

As you have seen, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-520 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Panasonic XS1 will result in greater detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older E-520 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography advice
59
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
30
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography factors
Panasonic XS1 Street photography factors
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (103g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography info
Panasonic XS1 Sports photography info
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great battery power (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography advice
Panasonic XS1 Travel photography advice
52
great battery power (650 CIPA)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than others in class (103 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography information
Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography information
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
great battery power (650 shots)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
39
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic XS1 Vlogging highlights
9
can't shoot video
31
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (103 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Panasonic XS1
 Olympus E-520Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-520 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2008-08-20 2013-01-07
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 surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 3 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 552 gr (1.22 lb) 103 gr (0.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images 260 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $400 $130