Olympus E-520 vs YI M1
68 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44


87 Imaging
59 Features
66 Overall
61
Olympus E-520 vs YI M1 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
- Introduced August 2008
- Replaced the Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
- Released September 2016

Olympus E-520 vs YI M1 Overview
In this article, we are analyzing the Olympus E-520 versus YI M1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and YI. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and M1 (20MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (Four Thirds).

The E-520 was released 9 years earlier than the M1 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the YI M1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-520 matches up vs the M1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-520 vs YI M1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-520 and YI M1. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-520 Gallery and YI M1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the YI M1
E-520 | M1 |
---|
Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Olympus E-520
M1 | E-520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2016 | ![]() | August 2008 | Newer by 98 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+810k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-520 and YI M1
E-520 | M1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Olympus E-520 vs YI M1 Physical Comparison
If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-520 comes with outside 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 YI M1 has sizing of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-520 versus YI M1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-520 and the M1.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and M1 is 68 and 87 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions simply by going through technical specs. The picture underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-520 and M1.
As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the YI M1 to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-520 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 vs YI M1 Specifications
Olympus E-520 | YI M1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | YI |
Model type | Olympus E-520 | YI M1 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2008-08-20 | 2016-09-19 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 5184 x 3888 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 81 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 45 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 1,040 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC |
Maximum video resolution | None | 4096x2160 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 552 gr (1.22 pounds) | 350 gr (0.77 pounds) |
Dimensions | 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 548 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 650 shots | 450 shots |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $400 | $320 |