Olympus E-520 vs Samsung NX100

Below is a complete review of the Olympus E-520 versus Samsung NX100, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Samsung. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and NX100 (15MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and NX100 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-520 was launched 3 years prior to the NX100 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Samsung NX100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the E-520 matches up against the NX100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-520 & Samsung NX100. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-520 Gallery & Samsung NX100 Gallery.

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 enjoys external dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Samsung NX100 has proportions of 120mm x 71mm x 35mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 282 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-520 versus Samsung NX100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-520 and the NX100.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and NX100 is 68 and 88 respectively.

Often, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements purely by looking at specs. The graphic here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-520 and NX100.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-520 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Samsung NX100 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 5MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The older E-520 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.