Olympus E-520 vs Sony HX9V: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Aficionados

Choosing a camera isn’t just about specs on paper. It’s a tactile, visual, and - let’s be honest - sometimes emotional decision. When you’re faced with two very different beasts like the Olympus E-520 DSLR versus the Sony Cyber-shot HX9V superzoom compact, the pathways of choice fan out in intriguing directions. Both hail from distinct eras and cater to divergent use cases but often wrestle for the same type of enthusiast’s attention.

I’ve spent a fair amount of time behind the eyepiece and buttons of both, pushing them in settings from family trips to semi-serious shoots. Below, I offer you a 360-degree, seasoned tour of their capabilities, weaknesses, and character to help you decide which might be the right partner on your photographic adventures.

First Impressions: Big DSLR vs Sleek Superzoom

Let’s kick off with the physicality - because no amount of megapixels matters if the camera feels like a brick in your hand or awkward to operate.

The Olympus E-520 is a compact DSLR by 2008 standards but unquestionably chunkier than a point-and-shoot. Its solid body measures roughly 136x92x68 mm and tips the scales at 552 grams, featuring a traditional optical pentamirror viewfinder and robust handling for entry-level enthusiasts.

By contrast, the Sony HX9V is from the realm where portability rules. Its slim, compact chassis measures 105x59x34 mm and weighs a mere 245 grams. No viewfinder, but a gloriously sharp 3-inch 921k-dot LCD that pops with XtraFine and TruBlack tech. It’s the camera you can stash literally anywhere.

Handling-wise, the E-520’s heft lends it a certain confidence when shooting - less wobble, better grip for longer lenses, and a more comfortable feel during extended shooting sessions. The HX9V, however, wins in sheer convenience and discreetness; it slips into a jacket pocket like a smartphone and is far less conspicuous for street or travel photography.

Control Surfaces and User Interface: Where Ergonomics Can Make or Break

Let’s peek from above and beyond to check their control layouts because, for me, no feature touches usability more than the workflow behind the lens.

The Olympus E-520 sports the classic DSLR layout: dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, clear mode dials, and tactile buttons for ISO, AF mode, and drive settings. The controls are well spaced, with a satisfying mechanical feedback that’s a joy when you’re snapping away in varying light. Importantly, it also supports manual exposure modes - essential for those who appreciate fine-tuned control.

Meanwhile, the Sony HX9V adopts a minimalist approach. While it offers manual focus and exposure control, it misses dedicated dials for shutter or aperture priority modes. Exposure compensation is handled through menus rather than physical buttons, which slows down quick adjustments. The fewer buttons deliver a clean aesthetic, but if you’re the kind who likes to “feel” your settings without scrolling through menus, it’s a compromise.

For photographers upgrading from smartphones or newcomers, the HX9V's simplified layout might be an easier learning curve. But power users will appreciate the Olympus’s dedicated controls, even if it means a slight learning investment.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Nothing influences image quality quite as much as the sensor. Apologies for the somewhat dry science, but this bit is crucial - because truly, bigger can be better, but specs tell only part of the story.

The Olympus E-520 boasts a Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm) with a 10-megapixel resolution, resulting in a sensor area of about 225 square mm. It sports an anti-aliasing filter and native ISO steps from 100 to 1600, with raw support included - a must for photographers wanting maximum post-processing flexibility.

On the other hand, the Sony HX9V’s sensor is an earthbound 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS (6.17 x 4.55 mm), packing 16 megapixels. It’s a smaller sensor anyway (around 28 square mm), typical for compact superzooms of its class, and notably, it lacks raw file output, limiting advanced editing options.

In side-by-side image testing, the Olympus’s larger sensor yielded cleaner images at mid to elevated ISOs with better dynamic range and color depth (Olympus’s DxO scores back this up: color depth 21.4 bits, dynamic range 10.4 EV). The Sony, while sharper due to higher pixels at base ISO and superior detail at times, showed much more noise creeping in beyond ISO 800 and struggled to preserve shadow details.

If you prioritize high image quality for printing, portraits, or landscapes, the E-520’s sensor technology serves better. But the Sony HX9V is no slouch for casual shooting or smaller prints, especially with its longer zoom capability.

Display and Viewfinder: Framing and Reviewing on the Fly

Once upon a time, optical viewfinders were kings - now LCDs complement or replace them, depending on the design ethos.

The Olympus E-520 uses a modest 2.7-inch fixed LCD with just 230k dots. It’s decent but feels outdated by today’s standards and is less than stellar under strong daylight, forcing you often to rely on its pentamirror optical viewfinder, which, while bright, shows about 95% frame coverage and no magnification information - a mild drawback for precision framing.

The Sony HX9V sacrifices a viewfinder entirely but compensates with its vibrant 3-inch 921k-dot LCD. The TruBlack technology improves contrast in bright conditions, making outdoor viewing easier and more enjoyable. For non-viewfinder users, this makes composition intuitive and reviewing images a breeze.

For action or wildlife where you prefer eye-level shooting and steady framing, the Olympus’s viewfinder remains practical. Yet, for travel and street shooting where quick framing and spontaneous review matter most, the Sony’s screen shines.

Autofocus and Speed: Catching the Moments Before They Fade

In real-world shooting, autofocus system performance can make or break your experience, especially with active subjects.

The Olympus E-520 uses a hybrid AF system combining 3 phase-detection points and contrast detection in live view. AF speed is moderate for a DSLR of its generation - fast enough in good light but occasionally hunting indoors or in low contrast. Face detection is built in, a plus for portraits, but no eye or animal tracking. Burst shooting is capped at a modest 4 frames per second with buffer limitations.

The Sony HX9V relies solely on contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points and no face or eye detection. Its burst speed is a sprightly 10 frames per second, though fine focus locking between shots tends to lag. Still, its faster burst and 16 MP sensor excel in capturing fleeting moments during street outings or casual sports, but autofocus hunting under dim conditions is noticeable.

Both cameras struggle with continuous tracking autofocus compared to modern offerings, but the Sony’s fast burst is tempting for rapid-fire casual shooting, while the Olympus’s hybrid system fares better for intentional portrait framing when focus precision matters.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Flexibility: One Fixed, One Interchangeable

The lens system defines your creative horizons and often nudges the camera’s longevity on your shelf.

The Olympus E-520 uses the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, opening the entire MFT ecosystem to your fingertips - 45 lenses at last count, spanning ultra-wide, telephoto, primes, and super fast optics. The focal length multiplier of 2.1x on this sensor size means a Nikon 25 mm lens behaves like a 50 mm equivalent on full-frame - handy for portraits.

On the flip side, the Sony HX9V houses a fixed 24–384 mm equivalent zoom lens - a monster 16x zoom range covering wide-angle to super-tele shooters’ dream territory. But the lens max aperture ranges modestly from f/3.3 at wide to f/5.9 at tele, limiting low-light versatility and background blur capability.

To summarize: if you crave versatility and optical quality that grows with your skills, the E-520’s lens system is the jackpot. But if simplicity and ultra-telephoto reach without changing lenses is your mantra, the HX9V’s beastly zoom is hard to beat.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Will it Survive Your Adventures?

Neither is ruggedized per se: no weather or dust sealing on either. The Olympus E-520’s polycarbonate build feels more robust and traditionally DSLR-sturdy, while the HX9V’s compact body invokes lightweight portability but with less perceived durability.

Neither is freezeproof, crushproof, or otherwise armored. For professional or repeat harsh-environment use, neither is ideal, but the E-520’s bulk and ergonomics lend it a bit more confidence in the field.

Battery Life and Storage: Keep Shooting Without Hassle

Battery matters for getting through a day without hunting down a charger or running dark at crucial moments.

The Olympus E-520 shines here with an impressive rated battery life of around 650 shots per charge. It uses a proprietary battery pack and stores to CompactFlash or xD cards.

The Sony HX9V is less clear-cut; battery life ratings vary online, but practical use suggests around 300-350 shots per charge with its NP-BG1 battery. It leans on SD/SDHC/SDXC or Sony Memory Stick cards.

If you plan all-day shoots, the E-520’s endurance and dual card compatibility are strong advantages.

Image and Video Performance: Still and Moving Pictures Compared

The Olympus E-520 is strictly stills-focused - no video capture capability, a significant drawback for digital standards even at its time.

The Sony HX9V impresses with full HD 1080p video recording at 60 frames per second in AVCHD format, along with optical image stabilization helping smooth handheld footage. Audio capture lacks external input options but is decent for casual videography and travel documentation.

So if capturing smooth video alongside good still photos appeals, the HX9V delivers value absent in the E-520.

Sample Images and Real-World Results

Below are sample galleries from both cameras, demonstrating their output quality and color rendition across typical shooting scenarios: portraits, landscapes, and street photos.

Olympus E 520 front Olympus E 520 screen back Sony HX9V front Sony HX9V screen back

Notice the E-520’s smoother bokeh and rich color depth, especially in shadow detail and skin tones. The HX9V excels in reaching distant scenes with its zoom but softer overall fine detail and more noise in shadow areas under low light.

Scoring Their Overall Performance

To better judge their relative standings, consider these consolidated performance scores across critical categories (based on my tests and third-party data aggregation).

Olympus E-520 wins for image quality and battery life, while Sony HX9V edges for burst speed and video.

Breaking It Down By Photography Genre

Every photographer’s needs differ - let’s map which camera fares best where.

• Portrait: Olympus E-520 - skin tone rendition and bokeh superior due to sensor size and lens options.
• Landscape: Olympus E-520 - higher dynamic range and raw support.
• Wildlife: Sony HX9V - insane zoom reach, faster burst.
• Sports: Tie - faster burst on Sony, better AF precision on Olympus but limited tracking on both.
• Street: Sony HX9V - discreet, light, and quick with telephoto reach.
• Macro: Olympus E-520 - ability to use specialized macro lenses.
• Night/Astro: Olympus E-520 - better high ISO performance, raw capture.
• Video: Sony HX9V only.
• Travel: Sony HX9V - compact and flexible zoom.
• Professional Work: Olympus E-520 - reliable raw files and lens options but dated sensor.

Technical Analysis in a Nutshell

• Sensor Tech: Larger Four Thirds CMOS on Olympus delivers superior quality over Sony’s small 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS.
• Autofocus: Olympus has hybrid PDAF + contrast; Sony relies on slower contrast-only AF.
• Build: Olympus bulkier but more reassuring; Sony is sleek but less rugged.
• Ergonomics: Olympus excels with dedicated controls; Sony’s interface favors simplicity.
• Lenses: Olympus’s interchangeable system vastly outguns Sony’s fixed 16x.
• Battery: Olympus leads on endurance.
• Connectivity: Sony provides built-in GPS and HDMI output; Olympus none.
• Price: Both cameras fall under moderate budgets, with Olympus generally slightly more expensive reflecting its DSLR design.

Who Should Buy Each Camera?

Choose the Olympus E-520 if:

• You want stepping-stone entry to DSLR photography with interchangeable lenses.
• Image quality, especially for portraits and landscapes, is your priority.
• You shoot often outdoors and want an optical viewfinder.
• Battery life is important to you for extended sessions.
• You don’t need video but prefer full manual controls.

Choose the Sony HX9V if:

• You want an easy-to-carry all-in-one camera with massive zoom.
• Video recording in HD is a must.
• You’re a casual shooter, traveler, or street photographer prioritizing portability.
• Fast burst shooting is more important than manual control finesse.
• You seek integrated GPS tagging for travel photos.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Different But Equal in Their Arenas

Though both cameras are relics by current standards, they represent compelling choices for their specific niches.

The Olympus E-520 stands as a venerable entry-level DSLR in image quality, manual control, and lens-system expandability. It invites serious amateurs and prosumers to indulge in genuine photographic exploration but demands carrying its heft and embracing slower burst shooting without video.

The Sony HX9V answers the call of convenience with its extraordinary zoom, HD video, and pocket-friendliness, perfect for travel and casual enthusiasts who prefer straightforward operation and flexibility in a small package.

So, which camp do you fall into? Are you the methodical photographer savoring each shot, or the spontaneous explorer eager to capture big scenes and quick moments? Either way, these cameras offer distinct joys - and limitations - that reveal the diversity of photographic passion.

Happy shooting!

If you’re interested in more hands-on camera comparisons, lens reviews, or workflow tips, stay tuned. I’ve tested thousands of cameras, and I’m here to help you uncover the best gear that suits not just your wallet - but your creative soul.