Olympus E-520

735 reviews

May, 2024

Positive
usability (259)
price (234)
portability (223)
performance (207)
image quality (181)

Negative
low-light (25)
viewfinder (15)
video (3)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 735 reviews of Olympus E-520. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Reviewers really like the image quality and portability. The price and performance also get good reviews, but opinions are divided on the contrast. The video and viewfinder get critical opinions.

usability, performance, price, portability, image quality

low-light, viewfinder, video

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Olympus E-520 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 735 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(56% of reviews)
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Features

usability
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performance
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price
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portability
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image quality
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Showing 474 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 300 of 474 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (257)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Olympus E-520

alaTest has collected and analyzed 32 user reviews of Olympus E-520 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Comments about the durability and price are overall positive. The image quality and usability also get good feedback.

portability, usability, image quality, price, durability

91% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Olympus E-520

alaTest has collected and analyzed 258 user reviews of Olympus E-520 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. People really like the portability and image quality. The performance and usability also get good reviews, but some have doubts about the video. There are some mixed comments about the low light performance.

price, usability, performance, image quality, portability

video

93% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Expert review by : PC Magazine (pcmag.com)

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 R

Inexpensive. Good telephoto zoom range. Sharp through most of its zoom range.

Plastic lens mount. Performance suffers at the edges of the frame. Not optically stabilized. Modest aperture.

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 R is a solid budget option for Micro Four Thirds shooters looking for an affordable telephoto zoom lens.

Oct, 2013

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Kathleen Cullen (pcworld.com)

Olympus E-520

The Olympus E-520 digital SLR camera evolved from its predecessor, the Evolt E-510--but only just. Olympus has added a larger, more ergonomic grip, for one; the company has also increased the size of the LCD to 2.7 inches (from 2.5 inches), added a...

Very impressive autofocus in daylight

Poor performance at high ISOs ; Complicated customizable menus

A good value for the price, but a few more bucks buys you better performance in low light

Dec, 2008

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Expert review by : Richard Butler (dpreview.com)

Olympus E-520 Review

The Olympus E-520 is a refreshed version of Olympus's upper-entry-level camera, the E-510. As such it's a slightly bulked-up E-420 with image stabilization, which makes it one of the most feature-packed and customizable cameras available for under...

Aug, 2008

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Expert review by : Steve's Digicams (steves-digicams.com)

Olympus E-520 SLR

Physical Views The E-520 (right) seated next to its little brother, the E-420 . Olympus E-520 Specifications Product Type Product type Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system Memory CompactFlash Type I/II,...

Oct, 2008

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Expert review by (electronicsme.com)

Olympus E-520

If you're ready to replace your stripped-down entry-level DSLR, or taking a step up from the point and shoot world, the Olympus E-520 definitely deserves a hard look. It has all the features of any of its upper entry-level competition, and you just...

10MP resolutionLive View with autofocusIn-camera image stabilization2.7

high ISOs is a little disappointing

The Olympus E-520 DSLR is Olympus' latest model in the upper entry-level...

Aug, 2009

Partner Source

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Expert review by (letsgodigital.org)

Olympus E520 review

Since the introduction of the FourThirds system, Olympus have managed to extend their assortment of D-SLR cameras very nicely indeed. Especially over the last period, new models have been arriving frequently, which is ever so positive. We have received...

The Olympus E-520 seems a logical continuation of the E-510. The year is over, so a new type number will attract the attention to the brand again. However, saying just that would not do the Olympus E-520 justice. This DSLR camera closes the front that...

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Expert review by : PhotographyBLOG (photographyblog.com)

Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 9-18mm f/4-5.6

Oct, 2010

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Expert review by : PhotographyBLOG (photographyblog.com)

Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 40-150mm f/4-5.6

Jul, 2010

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Expert review by : Zoltan Arva-Toth (photographyblog.com)

Olympus E-520 Review

The new 10 megapixel Olympus E-520 DSLR camera is an evolutionary upgrade to last year's popular E-510 model. It boasts some notable advancements including wireless TTL flash control, Shadow Adjustment Technology, improved image processing, two extra...

I personally enjoyed using the E-520 very much, and doubt it would disappoint anybody who decides to buy one after careful weighing of its strengths and weaknesses. The Olympus E-520 is a camera that I can recommend to beginners and enthusiasts...

Jul, 2008

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Expert review by (imaging-resource.com)

Olympus E-520 Digital Camera - First Shots - The Imaging Resource!

The Olympus E-520 is very closely related to its predecessor the E-510, in much the same way that the E-420 announced last March was an analogue of the previous E-410 model. Externally, the difference is barely noticeable - the only signs beyond the...

Built-in image stabilization ; Nice, comfortable grip (particularly when compared to the E-420) ; Compact size, yet full featured ; Loads of customization potential (e.g. mirror lock-up, time increments) ; 11-point contrast-detect autofocus in Live...

Shutter lag in Live View can be long, depending on the subject and light level ; LCD shows odd metallic-like sheen in bright daylight, can be distracting ; 1/180s X-Sync is relatively slow ; Phase-detect autofocus only has 3-points ; Autofocus and...

The E-520 also gets the 420's Live View Autofocus function, which operates via contrast detection of data streaming off the image sensor, where the '10-models required a brief interruption of live view to drop the mirror and perform AF using the...

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