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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2 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
  • Released August 2008
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-510
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Launched August 2005
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and ist DS2 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-520 was introduced 3 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-520 matches up vs the ist DS2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Pentax ist DS2

 E-520 ist DS2 
LaunchedAugust 2008August 2005More modern by 37 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kSharper display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Olympus E-520

 ist DS2 E-520 

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Pentax ist DS2

 E-520 ist DS2 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-520 provides physical measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-520 and the ist DS2.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and ist DS2 is 68 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and ist DS2.

To sum up, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-520 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Olympus E-520 will deliver greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The younger E-520 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-520
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DS2
59
focusing manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (10MP)
50
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography info
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (605g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography factors
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
better than average battery power (650 per charge)
has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography info
52
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than competition in class (605g)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography details
58
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
46
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging features
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging features
9
no video shooting
22
lighter than competition in class (605g)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video ( pixels)
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-520 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Pentax ist DS2
 Olympus E-520Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-520 Pentax ist DS2
Category Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-08-20 2005-08-22
Body design 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 10 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution None -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 grams (1.22 lbs) 605 grams (1.33 lbs)
Physical 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 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 -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $400 -