Olympus E420 vs Olympus E520 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E420
37
SCORE
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Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E520
41
WINNER
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|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E420 and Olympus E520 are both compact DSLRs released in 2008, so age gives neither an advantage here. The E420 was announced on 05/03/2008 and the E520 on 13/05/2008, making them same-year alternatives rather than a replacement cycle. A size difference shapes the carry: the E420 measures 130 x 91 x 53 mm and weighs 426 g, while the E520 is 136 x 92 x 68 mm and 552 g, which is 126 g heavier. The E420 is the smaller and lighter body of the pair, and its slimmer depth suits a small bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 5, 2008 | May 13, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 91 x 53 mm | 136 x 92 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 426 g | 552 g |
| Optics | 37/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E520 is the better choice for handheld shooting in dim light because it offers in-body stabilisation, steadying any mounted lens when you work at slower shutter speeds indoors or at dusk. The E420 has no in-body stabilisation, so handheld low-light work depends on the lens and your own steadiness. The E420 answers with broader autofocus coverage, 11 points against 3 on the E520, which helps when you place an off-centre subject like a portrait sitter without reframing. The other stills specifications match, so neither body offers more resolution or shooting speed. Both produce 10 MP images at up to 3.5 frames per second, with a 1/4000 second top shutter speed, a 100 to 1600 ISO range and a pentamirror optical viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10 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. |
NMOS | 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. |
14 x 18 | 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. |
3.5 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. |
16003003280000 | 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. |
16003003280000 | 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. |
400080032000 | 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. |
No |  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 (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or includes a built-in interval timer for timelapse work, so both are stills-only bodies. Anyone who needs motion capture alongside stills will have to look beyond this pair. | ||
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 | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFraming and playback match: both cameras use a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with 230,000 dots, and both offer live view for composing on the screen. Each provides a built-in flash plus support for an external flash unit, covering casual fill light and studio-style work. Their connectivity and protection features also match, with neither body offering GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, a touchscreen, an articulating screen or weather sealing. Travel geotagging and wet-weather protection therefore call for external add-ons with either camera. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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 | 2.7" | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 60/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E520 holds the battery advantage, rated at 650 shots against 500 for the E420. They take different battery packs, BLM-2 for the E520 and BLS-1 for the E420, so spare batteries are not interchangeable between them. Storage choices match: both cameras offer dual card slots accepting CompactFlash Type I or II plus xD Picture Card, so you can keep two cards loaded at once. Neither supports charging over USB, so both rely on an external charger. | ||
| 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 | BLS-1 | BLM-2 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 650 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus E520 if you photograph handheld in challenging light, such as church interiors, evening street scenes or dim rooms, because its in-body stabilisation steadies every lens you mount. Its higher battery rating, 650 shots against 500, also suits longer days of shooting.
Choose the Olympus E420 if minimal weight matters most, for hiking or everyday carry, or if you value broader autofocus coverage for off-centre subjects like portraits or wildlife. Both use the Micro 4/3 mount, so either choice keeps access to the same lenses.