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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-3 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
  • Introduced August 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-510
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-3, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The E-520 was unveiled 6 years earlier than the K-3 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-520 grades versus the K-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Pentax K-3

 E-520 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-520

 K-3 E-520 
ReleasedApril 2014August 2008Fresher by 68 months
Display size3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-3

 E-520 K-3 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-520 has outer measurements 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 Pentax K-3 has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the E-520 against the K-3.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and K-3 is 68 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and K-3.

As you can see, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-520 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-3 will offer greater detail having an extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older E-520 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
59
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
79
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography information
Pentax K-3 Street photography information
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-520
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good battery power (650 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (4.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Travel photography highlights
52
good battery power (650 CIPA)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
60
weather proof
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (560 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography details
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (650 shots)
small screen (2.7")
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
terrible battery power (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging info
Pentax K-3 Vlogging info
9
can't shoot video
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-3
 Olympus E-520Pentax K-3
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-520 Pentax K-3
Type Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2008-08-20 2014-04-10
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552g (1.22 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 80
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 13.4
DXO Low light rating 548 1216
Other
Battery life 650 photographs 560 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One 2
Cost at launch $400 $639