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Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-510
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and A290 (14MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and A290 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

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The E-520 was announced 21 months prior to the A290 making them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-520 grades versus the A290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Sony A290

 E-520 A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus E-520

 A290 E-520 
ReleasedJune 2010August 2008Newer by 21 months

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Sony A290

 E-520 A290 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurement
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-520 features 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) and the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the E-520 against the A290.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and A290 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching specifications. The picture here may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and A290.

To sum up, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A290 will result in extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-520
Portrait photography with Sony A290
59
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
low MP (10MP)
65
manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography info
Sony A290 Street photography info
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography advice
Sony A290 Sports photography advice
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good battery (650 shots)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography details
Sony A290 Travel photography details
52
good battery (650 per charge)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low MP (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
53
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
58
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
good battery (650 CIPA)
small screen (2.7")
low MP (10MP)
missing Timelapse mode
58
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging features
Sony A290 Vlogging features
9
can't shoot video
9
no video
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Olympus E-520 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Sony A290
 Olympus E-520Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-520 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2008-08-20 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
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 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 gr (1.22 lbs) 549 gr (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 66
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 11.5
DXO Low light rating 548 615
Other
Battery life 650 shots 290 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $400 $600