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Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Olympus E-520 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 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
  • Launched August 2008
  • Old Model is Olympus E-510
Sony S980
(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
Photography Glossary

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.

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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.

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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 
AnnouncedAugust 2008February 2009Similar generation
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurements
Display resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-520
Portrait photography with Sony S980
58
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
27
focusing manually
no manual mode
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-520
Sports photography with Sony S980
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good battery life (650 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
17
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
52
good battery life (650 CIPA)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-520
Landscape photography with Sony S980
57
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (650 shots)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
27
focusing manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-520
Vlogging with Sony S980
9
lack of video recording
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
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Olympus E-520 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Sony S980
 Olympus E-520Sony 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