Olympus E-520 vs Pentax E90

In this article, we will be comparing the Olympus E-520 versus Pentax E90, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the E90 (10MP) is relatively close but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and E90 (1/2.3") possess different sensor dimensions.

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The E-520 was announced 17 months before the E90 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax E90 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-520 matches up vs the E90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-520 and Pentax Optio E90. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-520 Gallery and Pentax E90 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you should consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-520 features outer measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Pentax E90 has specifications of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

See the Olympus E-520 versus Pentax E90 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the E-520 versus the E90.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-520 and E90 is 68 and 94 respectively.

Usually, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching specs. The visual below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-520 and E90.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras offer the same exact resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The E-520 offers the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF simpler. The older E-520 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.