Olympus E-520 vs Canon XSi

Olympus E-520 is Olympus Mid-range digital slr camera. At $600 price point. Olympus E-520 have a formidable opponent, Canon Rebel XSi or Canon 450D. Previously Canon XSi is priced around $700 body only but the price drops to $600. This move put Olympus E-520 into a big disadvantage. I predict that Olympus E-520 might drop their price to respond.

XSi advantages

Bigger sensor, better noise handling
9 points auto focus. Center point is cross type sensor (extremely fast and accurate) compare to 3 points auto focus.
3″ LCD screen compare to 2.7″
2 extra megapixel (Although it is not significant, 2 extra megapixel is indeed XSi’s advantage).
Canon EOS superior lenses selection and accesories
XSi / 450D accepts SD card, cheaper and used mainly for compact cameras. E-520 uses Compact Flash and xd card. (mainly used by digital SLR cameras).

Olympus E-520 advantage

Ability to buy twin kit lens (wide angle 14-42mm and telephoto 40-150mm) in a very attractive price

Tied or undetermined

Ergonomic: Both camera are almost in the same size, Olympus E-520 is shorter but wider. Both are build with high quality plastic and have texturized grip.
Both cameras have dust management system
Both cameras have image stabilization either in body or kit lens.
ISO up to 1600
Live View Mode (great for macro or still shots)
Canon kit lens are slightly sharper, but Olympus kit lens is better in handling Chromatic Abberation (color fringing in high contrast edge).

In conclusion…
Canon XSi wins in many aspects but there are couple reasons why you might end up choosing Olympus E-520:

You don’t plan to upgrade lenses (the twin kit lenses from Olympus can satisfy you on most of the occasions).
You have Olympus SLR or Four Third System lenses
You like E-520 body handling, ergonomic dan control better.

Comments from old blog platform

Papichulo
You should also mention the diferences in CCD stabilization. Canon uses in-lens stabilization and Olympus uses in-body. That means all lenses you buy for E-520 will benefit from stabilization.

GPSChulo
Many retailers are selling the XSi bundled with a two lenses. Mine came with the kit lens and a Canon 55-250mm EF-S IS lens.

Tagged as: canon 450d, canon xsi, olympus e-520