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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax P70

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Olympus E-520 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax P70 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
  • Launched August 2008
  • Replaced the Olympus E-510
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Announced March 2009
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax P70 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus E-520 versus Pentax P70, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the P70 (12MP) is relatively similar but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and P70 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizes.

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The E-520 was revealed 6 months before the P70 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-520 grades versus the P70 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Pentax P70

 E-520 P70 

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Olympus E-520

 P70 E-520 

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Pentax P70

 E-520 P70 
AnnouncedAugust 2008March 2009Similar generation
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 features outer dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Pentax P70 has proportions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-520 versus Pentax P70 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the E-520 against the P70.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and P70 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The pic here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and P70.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Pentax P70 will offer more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Portrait photography camera
58
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography features
Pentax P70 Street photography features
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than others in class (155 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography features
Pentax P70 Sports photography features
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good battery (650 per charge)
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
17
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Travel photography camera
52
good battery (650 CIPA)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
56
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (155 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Landscape photography camera
57
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
good battery (650 per charge)
small screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
32
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax P70 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (155 grams)
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Pentax P70
 Olympus E-520Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-520 Pentax Optio P70
Category Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Launched 2008-08-20 2009-03-02
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.60 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 gr (1.22 pounds) 155 gr (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 548 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $400 $200