Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1
68 Imaging
44 Features
45 Overall
44


67 Imaging
77 Features
62 Overall
71
Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 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
- Launched August 2008
- Superseded the Olympus E-510
(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

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.

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.

Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-520 & Zeiss ZX1. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-520 Gallery & Zeiss ZX1 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2018 | ![]() | August 2008 | More modern by 123 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display sizing | 4.34" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+1.64") |
Display resolution | 2765k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications
Olympus E-520 | Zeiss 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 | - |