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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Launched August 2008
  • Superseded the Olympus E-510
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-x, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the K-x (12MP) is relatively similar but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and K-x (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The E-520 was released 16 months earlier than the K-x which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-520 scores versus the K-x in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 E-520 K-x 

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

 K-x E-520 
AnnouncedDecember 2009August 2008Newer by 16 months

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

 E-520 K-x 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen size
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-520 provides physical dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Pentax K-x has specifications of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-x in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-520 compared to the K-x.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and K-x is 68 and 69 respectively.

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

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and K-x.

To sum up, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-x will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged E-520 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-x Portrait photography highlights
59
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (10MP)
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography information
Pentax K-x Street photography information
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-520
Sports photography with Pentax K-x
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good battery pack (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography features
Pentax K-x Travel photography features
52
good battery pack (650 shots)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
54
better than average battery pack (1,900 per charge)
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-x Landscape photography info
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (650 per charge)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (1,900 per charge)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging features
Pentax K-x Vlogging features
9
can't record video
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-x
 Olympus E-520Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-520 Pentax K-x
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2008-08-20 2009-12-23
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 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
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 16.00 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 grams (1.22 pounds) 580 grams (1.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 72
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 12.5
DXO Low light rating 548 811
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 1900 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $400 $600