Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980
68 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 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
- Old Model is Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Announced February 2009

Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 Overview
The following is a thorough review of the Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very similar but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and S980 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

The E-520 was released 6 months prior to the S980 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.
Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-520 grades vs the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-520 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-520 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Sony S980
E-520 | S980 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus E-520
S980 | E-520 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Sony S980
E-520 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2008 | ![]() | February 2009 | Similar generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Same display measurements |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-520 provides 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 S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-520 against the S980.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and S980 is 68 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-520 and S980.
As you can see, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-520 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Sony S980 will offer more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images way more aggressively.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Olympus E-520 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus E-520 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2008-08-20 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | - | 10cm |
Available lenses | 45 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 2 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video file format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 552g (1.22 pounds) | 167g (0.37 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 548 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 650 pictures | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $400 | $300 |