Olympus E-520 vs Sony A850: A Hands-On DSLR Showdown for Every Photographer’s Needs

In the ever-evolving landscape of DSLR cameras, two models that often attract interest for their distinctive approaches are Olympus’s E-520, an early Micro Four Thirds system entry-level DSLR announced in 2008, and Sony’s A850, a 2010 full-frame mid-range DSLR aimed at enthusiasts stepping into professional territory. Although these cameras hail from different generations and sensor formats, I’ve spent ample time comparing their real-world use across multiple photography genres - from portraiture and landscapes to wildlife and astrophotography - to deliver a robust, no-fluff analysis. Whether you’re a budget-minded hobbyist or a seasoned pro evaluating your options, this detailed comparison will guide your choice.

When Size and Handling Matter: Ergonomics and Physical Profile

The Olympus E-520 boasts a notably compact body, while the Sony A850 curves towards the heftier, robust mid-sized DSLR design typical of full-frame cameras.

I find this size differential quite illustrative of each camera's intended user base. The E-520, weighing just 552 grams and measuring 136x92x68mm, offers a surprisingly pocketable experience for an SLR - ideal for travel, street photography, or casual use where bulk is a concern. Its Micro Four Thirds mount and lighter overall footprint encourage mobility without sacrificing versatility.

Conversely, the Sony A850 tips the scales at nearly 900 grams (895g), and its dimensions (156x117x82mm) suggest a traditional, solid DSLR grip built to handle larger lenses and longer shoots. The robust build is paired with environmental sealing (although not fully weatherproof) that speaks to a more professional build quality - important when reliability in tough conditions counts.

Control Layout and Viewfinder: Handling Meets Interface

Inspecting the cameras’ top-plate and control ergonomics reveals divergent design philosophies.

The Olympus E-520’s top is fairly minimalist but functional, featuring a modest number of dials and buttons suited to entry-level photographers seeking simplicity without overwhelming complexity. Its pentamirror optical viewfinder with 95% coverage and 0.46x magnification is serviceable but leaves room for improvement, especially for detail-critical work (portrait precision or manual focus macro).

The Sony A850 steps things up with a pentaprism viewfinder delivering 98% coverage and a more immersive 0.74x magnification - a sizable advantage for manual focusing and composition finesse. Its top plate includes more exposure controls and a status LCD, which professionals appreciate for quick settings verification.

Both cameras lack touchscreen capability and illuminated buttons, which feels dated today but was standard at their times of release. The absence of live view on the Sony means Olympus’s E-520 gets a slight edge for composing off the LCD, albeit on a lower-res 2.7-inch screen versus the A850’s vibrantly detailed 3-inch TFT screen.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

No comparison would be complete without a deep dive into sensor technologies, given their vast impact on image quality.

Olympus’s E-520 uses a Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.3x13mm - this implies a 2.1x focal length crop factor. Its 10-megapixel resolution (3648x2736) is modest by today’s standards but was competitive for entry-level DSLRs in 2008.

The Sony A850 utilizes a full-frame 35.9x24mm CMOS sensor at 25-megapixels (6048x4032), characteristic of cameras geared towards professional and advanced amateurs who demand high resolution and superior low-light performance.

Looking at DXO Mark scores (for unbiased quantification), the Olympus registers an overall score of 55, with respectable color depth (21.4 bits) and a dynamic range of 10.4 EV at base ISO 100. The Sony impresses with a 79 overall score, excellent 23.8 color depth, and an outstanding 12.2 dynamic range - significant advantages for high-contrast scenes and critical post-processing.

Practically, in landscapes or studio shoots, the A850 delivers richer tonal gradations, more detailed shadows, and smoother highlight rolloff. Meanwhile, the E-520 performs well under good lighting but struggles to maintain clean details at ISO 1600 (its max native ISO), whereas the A850 can push ISO 3200 natively and even up to 6400 with boosted ISO with tolerable noise levels.

The Essential Readout: Back LCD and Live View

While the E-520 includes live view (a relatively early implementation), the A850 does not support it.

Olympus’s 2.7-inch, 230k-dot LCD provides basic framing and playback feedback but shows limitations in color accuracy and resolution - areas critical for quick image assessments in the field.

Sony’s A850 offers a larger 3-inch 922k-dot TFT Xtra Fine LCD panel with superb colour fidelity and brightness - ideal for tethered shooting or remote checkups. Despite missing live view, this higher-res screen makes image review more comfortable, especially useful during long exposure or studio tethering.

On the user interface side, Olympus provides a straightforward menu system suited for novice users, whereas Sony’s menu structure, while more complex, delivers deeper customizability favored by pros.

Autofocus Systems and Performance: Keeping Pace with the Subject

Both cameras deploy phase detection autofocus systems standard for their era but differ significantly in sophistication.

The Olympus E-520 features 3 AF points with selectable multi-area and face detection - impressive additions for an entry-level DSLR at the time, which aids in portrait and casual photography. Its autofocus is contrast- and phase-detection based, offering continuous and single AF modes, but tracking capabilities are limited, hampering burst shooting in dynamic sports or wildlife.

Sony’s A850, meanwhile, sports 9 AF points with cross-type sensors in a center area, enhancing accuracy across a wider frame area. Though the A850 lacks face detection and live view AF innovations found in newer models, its phase detection AF is fast and reliable for static or mildly active subjects. However, it also does not shine in tracking fast-moving subjects compared to more sport-focused DSLRs.

In bursts, E-520 reaches 4 fps, while A850 maxes at 3 fps - both modest by modern standards but consistent with their target demographics.

Lens Ecosystem: Vital for Long-Term Investment

Lens options could make or break your choice, and these brands come from quite different ecosystems.

The Olympus E-520 mounts the Micro Four Thirds lenses, benefiting from a compact, lightweight lens lineup specially optimized for this sensor format. This mount boasts about 45 native lenses spanning primes, zooms, and specialized options, excellent for portability and cost-conscious consumers.

Sony’s A850 fits the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, compatible with a mature and diverse array of 143 lenses, including revered manual focus Zeiss optics and high-end professional glass. The A850’s 1x crop factor means lenses render with the same field of view specified on their barrel - crucial for portrait or landscape precision. Additionally, Sony’s support for full-frame lenses gives the A850 an edge for professional-grade image quality and artistic breadth.

Durability and Environmental Sealing

If outdoor or adventure photography interests you, build ruggedness and sealing can matter a lot.

The Olympus E-520 lacks weather sealing, dustproofing or shockproofing, flagging its status as an entry-level DSLR focused on controlled environments.

The Sony A850 features partial environmental sealing, helping resist moisture and dust intrusion to an extent, reassuring for landscape or event photographers in variable conditions.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Battery endurance often correlates with how much you can shoot in a day without swapping.

The Olympus E-520 impresses with about 650 shots per charge, considerate for its compact power setup and efficiency focus.

Sony’s beefier battery pack supports approximately 880 shots - superior but expected from a larger body that must power a full-frame sensor and a bigger LCD.

In storage, E-520 uses a single slot compatible with Compact Flash and xD Picture Cards, which may limit speeds or capacity. Sony offers dual slots with Compact Flash (UDMA support) and Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, giving enthusiasts flexibility and a safety net via backup recording.

Connectivity, Video and Extra Features

Neither camera shines in multimedia features, adhering to their stills-centric design.

No video capture is offered on either model, a major drawback today but once typical.

The Olympus E-520 offers USB 2.0 but no HDMI or wireless connectivity; similarly, the Sony A850 offers USB 2.0 and HDMI out (useful for tethering to external displays) but no wireless options.

In-Depth: Performance Across Photography Genres

How do these specs and features translate where it really matters?

Olympus E 520 front Olympus E 520 screen back Sony A850 front Sony A850 screen back

Portrait Photography

The Olympus’s face detection AF and effective noise control at low ISOs allow clean skin rendering indoors. However, its smaller sensor limits dynamic range affecting subtle skin tone gradients and background blur (bokeh). The Micro Four Thirds sensor demands inherently smaller aperture lenses for equivalent depth-of-field control.

The Sony A850’s full-frame sensor delivers luscious backgrounds through better bokeh and exquisite tonal separation, giving portrait photographers superior control and detail. Nine AF points enhance focusing precision on eyes or faces.

Landscape Photography

The A850’s superior dynamic range (12.2 stops), higher resolution (25MP), and environmental sealing give it the edge for capturing sprawling vistas and retaining shadow/highlight detail with greater fidelity. The broad lens pool adds ultra-wide and tilt-shift options.

Olympus’s compactness and sufficient 10MP resolution remain respectable for travel landscapes, but lower high-ISO performance and sensor size limit pushing exposure values in tricky lighting.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera is primarily designed for fast action. The E-520’s 4 fps shooting rate is somewhat faster but crippled by just 3 AF points and no tracking AF.

Sony’s 3 fps with 9 AF points is better balanced but lags compared to modern APS-C or full-frame sports cameras.

Lens availability for long telephoto in Sony’s alpha lineup, plus the full-frame sensor’s better noise handling, makes the A850 preferable for serious wildlife shooters able to wait on AF performance.

Street Photography

The E-520’s compact size, lighter weight, live view mode, and quieter shutter system fit street photography demands perfectly. It remains discreet and rapid enough for candid moments.

The A850’s larger body and louder shutter, without live view, can feel cumbersome and less subtle for on-the-move urban shooting.

Macro Photography

Both cameras lack dedicated macro focus features. Olympus’s 3 AF points and live view help precise framing and focusing at close distances, while Sony’s longer lens flange distance and fuller sensor give more room for pro macro optics.

Neither supports focus bracketing or stacking, which limits focus control sophistication with macro work.

Night and Astro Photography

Sony’s A850 benefits greatly from its higher max native ISO (3200) and better low-light performance, aided by the 25MP sensor’s low noise - all important for capturing stars and night scenes.

Olympus caps at ISO 1600, struggles with noise, and its smaller sensor gathers less light overall.

Video Capabilities

Neither model supports video recording, making them poor choices if video is part of your creative workflow.

Value for Money: Balancing Price Against Features

At the time of launch, the Olympus E-520 retailed around $400, positioning it as a highly affordable DSLR option, especially for beginners or travel enthusiasts prioritizing compactness.

The Sony A850 targeted the high end of the enthusiast spectrum without the hefty flagship price, typically costing well over $2000 new (not listed here). For those serious about image quality and a pro-grade lens ecosystem, it represents a strong value proposition.

Clear Recommendations: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

To summarize the nuanced findings:

Final Thoughts: Making the Informed Choice

For newcomers or travelers valuing compactness, simplicity, and affordability, Olympus E-520 remains a charming classic to explore photography basics and enjoy versatile stills shooting in favorable light. Its sensor stabilization and early live view set it apart for informal shooting scenarios, especially in street and macro contexts.

The Sony A850, by contrast, shines with its robust full-frame sensor and mature build aimed at ambitious enthusiasts and professionals who demand maximum image quality, more control, and a formidable lens library. However, its size, weight, and lack of video or live view make it more specialized - great for portrait, landscape, and studio work but less nimble for daily casual photography.

On balance, this head-to-head represents a classic case of format and generation differences influencing use cases far more than simple specs do. Neither camera is “better” across the board but rather tailored for distinct photographic priorities. Delve into your core shooting style and environment, and select the camera that best aligns with those demands.

About The Author

With over 15 years spent rigorously testing and comparing digital cameras in field and studio conditions, I’ve developed a keen understanding of how technical specs translate into real-world image-making potential. My hands-on experience spans thousands of cameras and lenses across all major genres - so you can trust these insights to steer your next camera investment wisely.