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Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9 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
  • Announced August 2008
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-510
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Refreshed by Sony A9 II
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Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and A9 (24MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and A9 (Full frame) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The E-520 was announced 9 years before the A9 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-520 grades vs the A9 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Sony A9

 E-520 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Olympus E-520

 A9 E-520 
ReleasedApril 2017August 2008Newer by 105 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1440k230kSharper display (+1210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Sony A9

 E-520 A9 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-520 enjoys outer measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the E-520 compared to the A9.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and A9 is 68 and 65 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions just by looking through specifications. The image below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and A9.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A9 will provide you with greater detail with its extra 14MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
59
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
83
manual focus
MP count decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography details
Sony A9 Street photography details
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
79
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
provides touch focus
environment proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-520
Sports photography with Sony A9
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great battery (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
86
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery (650 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography factors
Sony A9 Travel photography factors
52
great battery (650 per charge)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
73
good battery (650 per charge)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
provides touch focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-520
Landscape photography with Sony A9
58
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
great battery (650 CIPA)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
85
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
good battery (650 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging info
Sony A9 Vlogging info
9
no video
36
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus E-520 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Sony A9
 Olympus E-520Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-520 Sony Alpha A9
Class Entry-Level DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2008-08-20 2017-04-19
Physical type Compact SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 3 693
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 45 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 552 grams (1.22 lbs) 673 grams (1.48 lbs)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 92
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 13.3
DXO Low light score 548 3517
Other
Battery life 650 shots 650 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots 1 2
Cost at launch $400 $4,498