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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Released August 2008
  • Superseded the Olympus E-510
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-520 versus Pentax K-r, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the K-r (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The E-520 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the K-r which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-520 scores vs the K-r with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 E-520 K-r 

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

 K-r E-520 
LaunchedMarch 2011August 2008More modern by 31 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

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

 E-520 K-r 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 has exterior dimensions 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-r has proportions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

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

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-520 compared to the K-r.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-520 and K-r is 68 and 67 respectively.

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

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by checking out specs. The pic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and K-r.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-520 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh tougher and the Pentax K-r will produce more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-r Portrait photography highlights
59
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography info
Pentax K-r Street photography info
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-520
Sports photography with Pentax K-r
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great battery pack (650 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (470 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography details
Pentax K-r Travel photography details
52
great battery pack (650 per charge)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
47
built-in flash
terrible battery life (470 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-r Landscape photography details
58
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (10MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-r Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-r
 Olympus E-520Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-520 Pentax K-r
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2008-08-20 2011-03-11
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552g (1.22 lb) 598g (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 72
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 12.4
DXO Low light rating 548 755
Other
Battery life 650 shots 470 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $400 $1,100