Olympus E-520 vs Sony A390
68 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44


66 Imaging
54 Features
54 Overall
54
Olympus E-520 vs Sony A390 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
- Launched August 2008
- Replaced the Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Announced July 2010
- Previous Model is Sony A380

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A390 Overview
On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus E-520 and Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and A390 (14MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and A390 (APS-C) posses different sensor size.

The E-520 was released 23 months prior to the A390 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-520 grades versus the A390 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A390 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-520 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-520 Gallery & Sony A390 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Sony A390
E-520 | A390 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Olympus E-520
A390 | E-520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2010 | ![]() | August 2008 | Newer by 23 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Sony A390
E-520 | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equal screen size |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-520 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-520 features exterior dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Sony A390 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
See the Olympus E-520 and Sony A390 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-520 versus the A390.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and A390 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions simply by going through specs. The picture below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-520 and A390.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony A390 will provide extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony A390 Specifications
Olympus E-520 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus E-520 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2008-08-20 | 2010-07-28 |
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 | 10 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
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 display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Maximum video resolution | None | None |
Mic 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 pounds) | 549 grams (1.21 pounds) |
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 All around rating | 55 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 548 | 607 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 650 shots | 230 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 feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $400 | $500 |