Olympus E-520 vs Pentax E85

Here, we are matching up the Olympus E-520 and Pentax E85, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the E85 (12MP) is very well matched but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and E85 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-520 was launched 13 months before the E85 making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-520 grades versus the E85 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-520 and Pentax Optio E85. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-520 Gallery and Pentax E85 Gallery.

In case you're intending to travel with your camera, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 offers outside dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has proportions of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-520 and Pentax E85 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-520 versus the E85.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-520 and E85 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Typically, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading through a spec sheet. The image below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and E85.

As you can see, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 because of its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Pentax E85 will resolve more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged E-520 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.