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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Superseded the Olympus E-510
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Announced June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the Q (12MP) is fairly close but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-520 was introduced 3 years prior to the Q which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-520 matches up vs the Q for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Pentax Q

 E-520 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-520

 Q E-520 
AnnouncedJune 2011August 2008More modern by 34 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Pentax Q

 E-520 Q 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-520 comes with outer dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Pentax Q has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-520 versus the Q.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-520 and Q is 68 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through specifications. The picture here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and Q.

Plainly, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-520 having a larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax Q will render extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography features
Pentax Q Portrait photography features
59
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (10 megapixels)
45
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-520
Street photography with Pentax Q
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (180 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography features
Pentax Q Sports photography features
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography details
Pentax Q Travel photography details
52
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
MP count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
57
lighter than competition (180g)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (230 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
58
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (10MP)
does not have Timelapse function
51
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging info
Pentax Q Vlogging info
9
no video shooting
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (180 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
missing mic jack
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Pentax Q
 Olympus E-520Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-520 Pentax Q
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2008-08-20 2011-06-23
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Available lenses 45 8
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 552 grams (1.22 pounds) 180 grams (0.40 pounds)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 47
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 11.1
DXO Low light score 548 189
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 230 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $400 $695