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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DL2 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
  • Introduced August 2008
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-510
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced January 2006
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Olympus E-520 versus Pentax ist DL2, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and ist DL2 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-520 was introduced 2 years after the ist DL2 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-520 matches up versus the ist DL2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Pentax ist DL2

 E-520 ist DL2 
AnnouncedAugust 2008January 2006Newer by 32 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kCrisper screen (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Olympus E-520

 ist DL2 E-520 

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Pentax ist DL2

 E-520 ist DL2 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-520 has outer dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Pentax ist DL2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-520 versus Pentax ist DL2 in the 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 are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-520 against the ist DL2.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and ist DL2 is 68 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions only by viewing a spec sheet. The image below may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-520 and ist DL2.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 having a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Olympus E-520 will render greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern E-520 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography details
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography details
59
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
low resolution (10 megapixels)
50
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography info
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography info
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (565g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-520
Sports photography with Pentax ist DL2
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good battery power (650 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution (10MP)
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-520
Travel photography with Pentax ist DL2
52
good battery power (650 CIPA)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low resolution (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than others in class (565 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (6MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography advice
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography advice
58
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (650 CIPA)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution (10MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
46
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging highlights
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging highlights
9
can't shoot video
22
lighter than others in class (565 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video ( pixels)
lack of external mic support
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Pentax ist DL2
 Olympus E-520Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-520 Pentax ist DL2
Class Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2008-08-20 2006-01-27
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 5
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Highest video resolution None -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 grams (1.22 pounds) 565 grams (1.25 pounds)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 65
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 11.1
DXO Low light rating 548 639
Other
Battery life 650 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $400 -