• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Olympus E-520 advantages over Nikon D3100

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.5 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D3100 advantages over Olympus E-520

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    919 vs 548 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.53x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    11 vs 3
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-420

Olympus E-520
Olympus E-420
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-420

Nikon D3100
Olympus E-420
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-420

Compared to Olympus E-620

Olympus E-520
Olympus E-620
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Less shutter lag
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-620

Nikon D3100
Olympus E-620
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-620

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Olympus E-520
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus E-520 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D3100
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Olympus E-600

Olympus E-520
Olympus E-600
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-600

Nikon D3100
Olympus E-600
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-600

Compared to Sony A33

Olympus E-520
Sony A33
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Less shutter lag
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-520 vs Sony A33

Nikon D3100
Sony A33
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony A33

Compare Other Cameras?