Olympus E-520
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Olympus E-520 is also often compared to mirrorless and pro DSLRs. The Olympus E-520's top rivals come from Nikon (such as the D3100 and the D5100) and Canon (such as the Rebel T3 and the EOS 60D)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Olympus E-520 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), is slightly smaller (prosumer size 136x92x68 mm vs prosumer size 127x96x78 mm), has a built-in focus motor, is thinner (2.7" vs 3") and much longer exposures (60 seconds vs 30 seconds).

However, on average it is significantly more noisy at high ISO (548 ISO vs 919 ISO), has significantly lower image quality (55.0 vs 80.0), doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 24fps), has much less color depth (21.4 bits vs 22.1 bits) and has significantly narrower dynamic range (10.4 EV vs 13 EV).

Olympus E-620 9 months newer	Significant advantages of the E-620 (vs the E-520) Has a flip-out screen Significantly thinner: 2.4" vs 2.7" Significant disadvantages of the E-620 (vs the E-520) None found common strengths of the E-620 and E-520 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Fairly small: Prosumer size 130x94x60 mm vs Prosumer size 136x92x68 mm Very thin: 2.4" vs 2.7"
	Compare the E-620 vs the E-520
Nikon D3100 2 years newer $500 - $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the E-520) Better color depth: 22.5 bits vs 21.4 bits Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 548 ISO Shoots movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs None Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the E-520) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Doesn't have a built-in focus motor Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds common strengths of the D3100 and E-520 Fairly small: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Prosumer size 136x92x68 mm Thin: 2.9" vs 2.7"
	Compare the Nikon D3100 vs the Olympus E-520
Nikon D5100 2 years newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the E-520) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 548 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 55.0 Better color depth: 23.5 bits vs 21.4 bits Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the E-520) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Doesn't have a built-in focus motor Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds common strengths of the D5100 and E-520 Fairly small: Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm vs Prosumer size 136x92x68 mm
	Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Olympus E-520
Canon Rebel T3 2 years newer $333 (body only) $489 - $500 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3 (vs the E-520) Better color depth: 21.9 bits vs 21.4 bits Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Lower noise at high ISO: 755 ISO vs 548 ISO Significant disadvantages of the T3 (vs the E-520) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Significantly larger: Professional size 130x100x78 mm vs Prosumer size 136x92x68 mm Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds common strengths of the T3 and E-520 None found
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3 vs the Olympus E-520
Nikon D7000 2 years newer $1,000 - $1,197 (body only) $1,100 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the E-520) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 548 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 55.0 Better color depth: 23.5 bits vs 21.4 bits Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the E-520) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Significantly larger: Professional size 132x105x77 mm vs Prosumer size 136x92x68 mm Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds common strengths of the D7000 and E-520 None found
	Compare the Nikon D7000 vs the Olympus E-520
Canon Rebel T3i 2 years newer $619 - $700 (body only) $745 - $1,000 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the E-520) Better color depth: 22.1 bits vs 21.4 bits Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 793 ISO vs 548 ISO Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the E-520) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Significantly larger: Professional size 133x99x79 mm vs Prosumer size 136x92x68 mm Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds common strengths of the T3i and E-520 None found
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Olympus E-520

Generally, some of the advantages of the Olympus E-520 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentamirror vs none) and has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none).

However, on average it doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 30fps), has a much smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), has a slightly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 614k dots), takes slightly lower resolution photos (10 MP vs 15.8 MP) and slightly lower maximum light sensitivity (1,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 3 years newer $500 (body only) $700 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the DMC-G3 (vs the E-520) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the DMC-G3 (vs the E-520) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Has a digital viewfinder: Digital vs Pentamirror common strengths of the DMC-G3 and E-520 Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 vs the Olympus E-520
Olympus PEN E-PL2 2 years newer $485 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the PEN E-PL2 (vs the E-520) Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Shoots movies: 720p @ 30fps vs None Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the PEN E-PL2 (vs the E-520) No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the PEN E-PL2 and E-520 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the PEN E-PL2 vs the E-520
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 3 years newer $469 (body only)	Significant advantages of the DMC-GF3 (vs the E-520) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the DMC-GF3 (vs the E-520) No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift No external flash support common strengths of the DMC-GF3 and E-520 Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Olympus E-520
Olympus PEN E-P3 3 years newer $849 - $900 17mm lens	Significant advantages of the E-P3 (vs the E-520) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Significantly higher resolution screen: 614k dots vs 230k dots Significant disadvantages of the E-P3 (vs the E-520) No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the E-P3 and E-520 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the PEN E-P3 vs the E-520
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 2 years newer $849 - $997 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the DMC-GH2 (vs the E-520) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs None Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the DMC-GH2 (vs the E-520) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Has a digital viewfinder: Digital vs Pentamirror common strengths of the DMC-GH2 and E-520 Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 vs the Olympus E-520
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 3 years newer $589 - $600 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the E-PL3 (vs the E-520) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the E-PL3 (vs the E-520) No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror No built-in flash common strengths of the E-PL3 and E-520 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds
	Compare the PEN Lite E-PL3 vs the E-520

Generally, some of the advantages of the Olympus E-520 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), is slightly smaller (prosumer size 136x92x68 mm vs professional size 145x106x79 mm), is thinner (2.7" vs 3.1"), is slightly lighter (552 g vs 822 g) and much longer exposures (60 seconds vs 30 seconds).

However, on average it has slightly lower image quality (55.0 vs 66.0), doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 30fps), has much less color depth (21.4 bits vs 22.2 bits), has significantly narrower dynamic range (10.4 EV vs 11.5 EV) and has a significantly smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0").

Canon EOS 60D 2 years newer $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the E-520) Better color depth: 22.2 bits vs 21.4 bits Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots Significantly better image quality: 66.0 vs 55.0 Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the E-520) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds Significantly thicker: 3.1" vs 2.7" common strengths of the 60D and E-520 Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Prosumer size 136x92x68 mm Supports RAW Thin: 3.1" vs 2.7"
	Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Olympus E-520
Canon EOS 40D 8 months older $650 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 40D (vs the E-520) Better color depth: 22.1 bits vs 21.4 bits Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 26 lenses Significant disadvantages of the 40D (vs the E-520) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds Thicker: 2.9" vs 2.7" common strengths of the 40D and E-520 Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Prosumer size 136x92x68 mm Supports RAW Thin: 2.9" vs 2.7"
	Compare the Canon EOS 40D vs the Olympus E-520