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Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX1

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX1 Key Specs

Olympus E-520
(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
  • Revealed August 2008
  • Superseded the Olympus E-510
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Revealed April 2009
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Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX1 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus E-520 versus Sony HX1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the HX1 (9MP) is relatively well matched but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and HX1 (1/2.4") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-520 was brought out 8 months earlier than the HX1 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the E-520 grades versus the HX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Sony HX1

 E-520 HX1 

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Olympus E-520

 HX1 E-520 
RevealedApril 2009August 2008Newer by 8 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Sony HX1

 E-520 HX1 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-520 has got physical dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) and the Sony HX1 has specifications of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-520 versus Sony HX1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-520 compared to the HX1.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-520 and HX1 is 68 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading through a spec sheet. The pic underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and HX1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-520 will give extra detail having its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged E-520 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX1 Portrait photography advice
59
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low MP (10 megapixels)
27
you can focus manually
can't use external flash
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography highlights
Sony HX1 Street photography highlights
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
50
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competition in class (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography details
Sony HX1 Sports photography details
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good battery power (650 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.0 fps)
low MP (10 megapixels)
36
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography factors
Sony HX1 Travel photography factors
52
good battery power (650 CIPA)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
48
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (544g)
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX1 Landscape photography highlights
58
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (650 per charge)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low MP (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
39
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging information
Sony HX1 Vlogging information
9
no video
22
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1440 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
heavier than competition in class (544 grams)
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Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Sony HX1
 Olympus E-520Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-520 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2008-08-20 2009-04-22
Body design Compact SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 9.20 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1440x1080
Video file format - H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 grams (1.22 lb) 544 grams (1.20 lb)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 548 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - NP-FH50
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 Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $400 $47,999