Canon 450D VS Olympus E-520
Most people say that every new budget or mid-range DSLR will be up against Canon’s latest model, 
the Canon EOS 450D / XSi. Indeed it is. Canon 450D is the most powerful Rebel yet keeps the competition at full boil with live view and stabilized kit lens. Previously Canon 450D is priced around $700 body only but now the price drops to $600, the same price with Olympus E-520. This move put Olympus E-520 into a big disadvantage. OLYMPUS E-520 is one of the lowest priced DSLRS to have both live view and image stabilization. Many people would hope Olympus E-520 drops price to compete with Canon 450D. But Canon 450D wins in many aspects.
Though the canon 450D has advantages over Olympus E-520, they also share same features. Both cameras feature contrast-based AF and 3.5fps continuous shooting. Both cameras have dust management system, dust management system, ISO up to 1600. Both cameras are almost in the same size, Olympus E-520 is shorter but wider. Both are built with high quality plastic and have texturized grip.
Just as said before, Canon 450D wins in many aspects. The Canon boasts two extra Megapixels (Although it is not significant), a bigger 3in screen compare to 2.7in, 14-bit image processing, a bigger viewfinder, and PC remote control software which includes a live on-screen preview. Canon 450D accepts SD card, cheaper and used mainly for compact cameras. E-520 uses Compact Flash and XD card. Canon 450D also features 9 points auto focus. Center point is cross type sensor (extremely fast and accurate) compare to 3 points auto focus. The E-520’s key selling point is having built-in stabilisation which works with any lens you attach, while the Canon 450D / XSi is now bundled with a stabilised kit lens.
But there are couple reasons why you might end up choosing Olympus E-520. The Olympus E-520 has the ability to buy twin kit lens (wide angle 14-42mm and telephoto 40-150mm) in a very attractive price. Olympus E-520 is a very ergonomic camera to grip. So if you don’t plan to upgrade lenses (the twin kit lenses from Olympus can satisfy you on most of the occasions), if you have Olympus SLR or Four Third System lenses, Olympus E-520 actually is a worthwhile camera in this regard.
