• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus E-520 advantages over Sony A68

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.74 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony A68 advantages over Olympus E-520

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Better color depth
    24.1 vs 21.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    701 vs 548 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.5 vs 10.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    9 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.57x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    79 vs 3
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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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
Sony A68
Olympus E-420
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

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
Sony A68
Olympus E-620
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Longer exposure

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
Sony A68
Olympus E-600
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Canon T6s

Olympus E-520
Canon T6s
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A68
Canon T6s
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Olympus E-520
Pentax K-3 II
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Sony A68
Pentax K-3 II
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite
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