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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50 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
  • Announced August 2008
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-510
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-30
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.

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The E-520 was brought out 6 years earlier than the K-50 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-520 grades against the K-50 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Pentax K-50

 E-520 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Olympus E-520

 K-50 E-520 
LaunchedNovember 2013August 2008Newer by 64 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-50

 E-520 K-50 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 has physical dimensions 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-50 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-520 compared to the K-50.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-520 and K-50 is 68 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by looking at technical specs. The picture below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-520 and K-50.

As you can tell, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-50 will give more detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-520 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
59
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (10MP)
74
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-520
Street photography with Pentax K-50
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
good ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
heavier than competitors (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
better than average battery life (650 shots)
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (4.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10MP)
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
low battery power (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Travel photography highlights
52
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
56
environment proof
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery power (410 shots)
heavier than competitors (650 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography factors
58
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
tiny screen (2.7")
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
low battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-50 Vlogging highlights
9
can't shoot video
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
heavier than competitors (650 grams)
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-50
 Olympus E-520Pentax K-50
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-520 Pentax K-50
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2008-08-20 2013-11-27
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 51600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552g (1.22 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 79
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 13.0
DXO Low light rating 548 1120
Other
Battery life 650 images 410 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $400 $610