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Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44
Olympus E-520 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
77
Features
62
Overall
71

Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 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
  • Superseded the Olympus E-510
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Launched September 2018
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Zeiss. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and ZX1 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The E-520 was introduced 11 years prior to the ZX1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-520 scores against the ZX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Zeiss ZX1

 E-520 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Olympus E-520

 ZX1 E-520 
LaunchedSeptember 2018August 2008More modern by 123 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing4.34"2.7"Larger display (+1.64")
Display resolution2765k230kClearer display (+2535k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Zeiss ZX1

 E-520 ZX1 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-520 comes with physical measurements 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 Zeiss ZX1 has dimensions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-520 compared to the ZX1.

Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and ZX1 is 68 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over a spec sheet. The pic below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-520 and ZX1.

Clearly, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-520 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Zeiss ZX1 will deliver extra detail using its extra 27MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged E-520 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography details
58
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
86
manual focus
megapixel count amazing (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Street photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Street photography camera
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
70
screen articulates
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
supports touch to focus
above average ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography advice
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
63
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
megapixel count amazing (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-520
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
52
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
megapixel count amazing (37 megapixels)
fast max aperture (f2)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (800g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography advice
57
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not have Timelapse function
69
manual focus
fast max aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34 inches)
megapixel count amazing (37MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging details
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging details
9
no video
31
fast max aperture (f2)
touchscreen capability
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone socket
more heavy than average (800 grams)
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Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Zeiss ZX1
 Olympus E-520Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Zeiss
Model type Olympus E-520 Zeiss ZX1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2008-08-20 2018-09-27
Physical type Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 37MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 1600 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 255
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Max aperture - f/2-22
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inch 4.34 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 2,765k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 gr (1.22 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card 512GB internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $400 -