• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200

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Differences

Olympus E-520 advantages over Olympus E30

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1299 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories

Olympus E30 advantages over Olympus E-520

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.51x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    12.3 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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

Olympus E30
Olympus E-420
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus E30 vs Olympus E-420

Compared to Canon 50D

Olympus E-520
Canon 50D
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-520 vs Canon 50D

Olympus E30
Canon 50D
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E30 vs Canon 50D

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

Olympus E30
Olympus E-620
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Top deck display
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Olympus E30 vs Olympus E-620

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

Olympus E30
Olympus E-600
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Top deck display
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Olympus E30 vs Olympus E-600

Compared to Olympus E-5

Olympus E-520
Olympus E-5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-520 vs Olympus E-5

Olympus E30
Olympus E-5
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compare Olympus E30 vs Olympus E-5

Compare Other Cameras?