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Olympus E-520 vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Olympus E-520 front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
86
Overall
67

Olympus E-520 vs Sony ZV-1 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
  • Announced August 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-510
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Launched May 2020
  • Later Model is Sony ZV-1 II
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Olympus E-520 vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Olympus E-520 versus Sony ZV-1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and ZV-1 (20MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and ZV-1 (1") offer different sensor size.

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The E-520 was revealed 12 years before the ZV-1 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-520 grades vs the ZV-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Sony ZV-1

 E-520 ZV-1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Olympus E-520

 ZV-1 E-520 
LaunchedMay 2020August 2008Fresher by 143 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Sony ZV-1

 E-520 ZV-1 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Olympus E-520 vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-520 has got physical dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Sony ZV-1 has proportions of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") along with a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-520 versus Sony ZV-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-520 compared to the ZV-1.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and ZV-1 is 68 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-520 and ZV-1.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-520 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Sony ZV-1 will give you greater detail because of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos way more aggressively. The older E-520 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-520 vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography features
Sony ZV-1 Portrait photography features
58
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (10MP)
73
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography factors
Sony ZV-1 Street photography factors
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
85
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
exports RAW files
supports focus via touch
lighter than competitors (294 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography details
Sony ZV-1 Sports photography details
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
71
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (24.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
comes with tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (260 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-520
Travel photography with Sony ZV-1
52
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
81
lighter than competitors (294g)
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
bad battery power (260 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography highlights
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography highlights
57
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (650 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
70
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
exports RAW files
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
bad battery power (260 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Vlogging camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
86
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic support
lighter than competitors (294g)
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Olympus E-520 vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Sony ZV-1
 Olympus E-520Sony ZV-1
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-520 Sony ZV-1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2008-08-20 2020-05-27
Physical type Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 3 315
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximal aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 24.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 552 gr (1.22 lb) 294 gr (0.65 lb)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
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 photos 260 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $400 $750