• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSLR-A350 advantages over Olympus E-520

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More dynamic range
    11.5 vs 10.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    9 vs 3
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-520 advantages over Sony DSLR-A350

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.5 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    12 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSLR-A350

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-520

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A200

Sony DSLR-A350
Sony DSLR-A200
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Olympus E-520
Sony DSLR-A200
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-520 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Sony DSLR-A350
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Olympus E-520
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-520 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Olympus E-620

Sony DSLR-A350
Olympus E-620
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 vs 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

Compared to Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A350
Nikon D5000
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 vs Nikon D5000

Olympus E-520
Nikon D5000
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-520 vs Nikon D5000

Compared to Olympus E-600

Sony DSLR-A350
Olympus E-600
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?