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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-510
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-S2
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and K-S1 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-520 was brought out 7 years before the K-S1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-520 scores versus the K-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Pentax K-S1

 E-520 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Olympus E-520

 K-S1 E-520 
RevealedAugust 2014August 2008Newer by 73 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-S1

 E-520 K-S1 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 enjoys outside measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has proportions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") and a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-520 and the K-S1.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-520 and K-S1 is 68 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions purely by researching a spec sheet. The pic here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and K-S1.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-S1 will provide you with greater detail having its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography information
59
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
77
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-520
Street photography with Pentax K-S1
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography advice
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great battery life (650 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
52
great battery life (650 per charge)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
60
lighter than competitors (558g)
good MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (650 CIPA)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging info
9
can't record video
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-S1
 Olympus E-520Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-520 Pentax K-S1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2008-08-20 2014-08-27
Body design Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 1600 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 552 grams (1.22 lbs) 558 grams (1.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 78
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 13.0
DXO Low light rating 548 1061
Other
Battery life 650 shots 410 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $400 $339