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Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300 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
  • Replaced the Olympus E-510
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Released January 2008
  • Newer Model is Sony A330
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Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300 Overview

Following is a extensive comparison of the Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the A300 (10MP) is fairly similar but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and A300 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

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The E-520 was brought out 7 months after the A300 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-520 grades versus the A300 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Sony A300

 E-520 A300 
ReleasedAugust 2008January 2008More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Olympus E-520

 A300 E-520 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Sony A300

 E-520 A300 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display size
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-520 features physical measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Sony A300 has measurements of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the E-520 compared to the A300.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and A300 is 68 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over specs. The pic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and A300.

All in all, both of these cameras posses the exact same MP but different sensor sizes. The E-520 comes with the tinier sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF trickier. The fresher E-520 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A300 as a Portrait photography camera
59
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10MP)
59
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography info
Sony A300 Street photography info
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
74
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography highlights
Sony A300 Sports photography highlights
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
54
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-520
Travel photography with Sony A300
52
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
45
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A300 Landscape photography highlights
58
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (650 shots)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
57
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging info
Sony A300 Vlogging info
9
no video
9
no video
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Olympus E-520 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Sony A300
 Olympus E-520Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-520 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2008-08-20 2008-01-30
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 grams (1.22 lb) 632 grams (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 64
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 11.4
DXO Low light rating 548 538
Other
Battery life 650 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Compact Flash
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $400 $0