Olympus E3 vs Olympus E520 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 10.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E3
46
WINNER
|
Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E520
41
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E520 is the easier camera to carry, weighing 552 g against 890 g for the Olympus E3, roughly 38 percent lighter. It is also more compact at 136 x 92 x 68 mm versus 142 x 116 x 75 mm. Both are DSLRs released within a year of each other, the E3 in 2007 and the E520 in 2008. The two cameras share the same Micro 4/3 lens mount, so the choice comes down to the bodies rather than different lens systems. Any Micro 4/3 lenses you already own fit either camera. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 16, 2007 | May 13, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 142 x 116 x 75 mm | 136 x 92 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 890 g | 552 g |
| Optics | 46/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E3 is the stronger camera for action and wildlife shooting, combining 11 autofocus points with a 5 fps burst rate. The E520 offers 3 autofocus points and 3.5 fps, which suits slower and more deliberate subjects. The E3 reaches 3200 ISO against 1600 ISO on the E520, giving more scope in dim venues. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed also allows wide apertures in bright light, where the E520's 1/4000 limit forces smaller apertures. The E3 uses an optical pentaprism viewfinder while the E520 uses a pentamirror design. Resolution is effectively matched at 10.1 and 10 megapixels, and both use the same Live MOS sensor type and TruePic III processor. Both also offer in-body stabilisation, so any mounted lens is stabilised on either body. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.1 MP050 | 10 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
Live MOS | Live MOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17 | 13 x 17 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 3.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic III | TruePic III |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 30300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither the E3 nor the E520 records video, so movie capture cannot be part of this choice. Both are stills-only DSLRs, and neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. Anyone who needs clips alongside photographs should look elsewhere. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 43/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E3 is the camera for shooting outdoors in rough conditions, with weather sealing that the E520 lacks. Rain, dust and sand are the practical situations where that protection matters. The E3's 2.5-inch screen also flips out for waist-level and low-angle framing, while the E520's slightly larger 2.7-inch screen is fixed. Both offer live view, a built-in flash and external flash support, and neither provides GPS, Wi-Fi or touch control. Screen resolution is matched at 230,000 dots. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 63/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage is a shared strength: both cameras accept CompactFlash Type I or II cards and xD Picture Cards in dual slots. Your cards and card strategy carry over unchanged between the two bodies. The batteries differ. The E520's BLM-2 pack is rated at 650 shots under its stated test conditions, against 610 shots for the E3's BLM-1, a modest edge. Neither camera charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | BLM-1 | BLM-2 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
610 shots1505000 | 650 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The E3 is the better choice for demanding photography such as sports, birds in flight, dim interiors and poor weather. Its denser autofocus coverage, faster burst, higher ISO ceiling, faster shutter and weather sealing all serve those situations.
Choose the E520 when portability is the priority, such as travel or everyday family photography, where its 552 g body against the E3's 890 g counts most. Either way, the shared Micro 4/3 mount means your lenses fit both bodies.