Olympus E-520 vs Sony TX1
68 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44


96 Imaging
33 Features
21 Overall
28
Olympus E-520 vs Sony TX1 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
- Announced August 2008
- Succeeded the Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
- 142g - 94 x 58 x 17mm
- Announced August 2009

Olympus E-520 vs Sony TX1 Overview
In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus E-520 and Sony TX1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the TX1 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and TX1 (1/2.4") come with totally different sensor sizes.

The E-520 was unveiled 11 months before the TX1 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony TX1 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-520 scores vs the TX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony TX1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-520 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-520 Gallery & Sony TX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Sony TX1
E-520 | TX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus |
Reasons to pick Sony TX1 over the Olympus E-520
TX1 | E-520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2009 | ![]() | August 2008 | Fresher by 11 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Sony TX1
E-520 | TX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Olympus E-520 vs Sony TX1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 enjoys outside dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Sony TX1 has proportions of 94mm x 58mm x 17mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).
See the Olympus E-520 and Sony TX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-520 vs the TX1.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-520 and TX1 is 68 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony TX1 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through a spec sheet. The photograph here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and TX1.
Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-520 features the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh simpler. The older E-520 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony TX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony TX1 Specifications
Olympus E-520 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus E-520 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Ultracompact |
Announced | 2008-08-20 | 2009-08-06 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.4" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.5-4.6 |
Macro focus distance | - | 8cm |
Number of lenses | 45 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 2 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1250 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 3.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 552 gr (1.22 lb) | 142 gr (0.31 lb) |
Dimensions | 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 94 x 58 x 17mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 shots | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $400 | $350 |