Olympus E-520 vs Samsung NX300M
68 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44


86 Imaging
62 Features
73 Overall
66
Olympus E-520 vs Samsung NX300M Key Specs
(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
- Introduced August 2008
- Previous Model is Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
- Introduced January 2013

Olympus E-520 vs Samsung NX300M Overview
Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-520 vs Samsung NX300M, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Samsung. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and NX300M (20MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and NX300M (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

The E-520 was introduced 5 years prior to the NX300M which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera 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 NX300M being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-520 scores against the NX300M when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-520 vs Samsung NX300M Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-520 and Samsung NX300M. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-520 Gallery and Samsung NX300M Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Samsung NX300M
E-520 | NX300M |
---|
Reasons to pick Samsung NX300M over the Olympus E-520
NX300M | E-520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2013 | ![]() | August 2008 | Newer by 53 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimension | 3.3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.6") |
Display resolution | 768k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+538k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Samsung NX300M
E-520 | NX300M | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Olympus E-520 vs Samsung NX300M Physical Comparison
If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 features exterior measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) and the Samsung NX300M has proportions of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") along with a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-520 vs Samsung NX300M in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-520 and the NX300M.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and NX300M is 68 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Samsung NX300M Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through a spec sheet. The pic underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and NX300M.
Clearly, the two cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Samsung NX300M will show more detail using its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-520 vs Samsung NX300M Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Samsung NX300M Specifications
Olympus E-520 | Samsung NX300M | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Samsung |
Model | Olympus E-520 | Samsung NX300M |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2008-08-20 | 2013-01-03 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | DRIMe IV |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 5472 x 3648 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | 247 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Samsung NX |
Amount of lenses | 45 | 32 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 2.7" | 3.3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 768 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | Active Matrix OLED screen |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames/s | 9.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 552 gr (1.22 lbs) | 331 gr (0.73 lbs) |
Dimensions | 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 548 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 650 pictures | 330 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | BP1130 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $400 | $699 |