Canon PowerShot S110 vs Olympus VR-340: A Detailed Compact Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

In the realm of small sensor compact cameras circa early 2010s, the Canon PowerShot S110 and the Olympus VR-340 stand out as intriguing contenders. Both targeted users seeking pocketable convenience yet a step beyond smartphone snapping - but they do so with very different philosophies in design, feature sets, and performance.

Having spent countless hours testing cameras in this category, I’m excited to share an in-depth comparison based on hands-on experience, rigorous technical analysis, and practical real-world use cases. Together, we’ll explore how these models perform across multiple photography disciplines, their core strengths and trade-offs, and which photographers will benefit most from each.

Let’s dig in.

Physical Presence and Handling: Size and Ergonomics Matter in Your Pocket

Compact cameras thrive on portability, but how small should a camera be before ergonomics suffer? Let's stack the Canon S110 and Olympus VR-340 side by side to see how they feel in practice.

The Canon PowerShot S110 measures 99x59x27mm and weighs 198 grams, while the much lighter Olympus VR-340 tips the scales at just 125 grams with dimensions of 96x57x19mm. Both comfortably fit in a jacket pocket, but the Olympus is noticeably slimmer and lighter.

This translates to distinct differences in handling. The S110’s chunkier grip and deeper body afford better one-hand stability and more substantial button placement. The VR-340 feels more like a sleek candy bar, barely registering in your grip but at the expense of tactile control.

The S110’s larger size accommodates a richer control scheme, crucial for photographers who like to tweak exposure settings manually. Meanwhile, the VR-340’s svelte design veers toward ease of carry rather than advanced handling.

For those prioritizing pocket-friendliness and unburdened take-anywhere shooting, Olympus wins hands down. But if you crave a compact camera with a more substantial feel and traditional shooting controls, the Canon honors that better.

User Interface and Controls: Where Function Meets Intuition

A camera’s user interface shapes the shooting experience profoundly, especially on compacts where space is tight.

Looking from the top, the Canon S110 benefits from a sophisticated control cluster: a dedicated mode dial, zoom rocker nestled alongside the shutter button, and toggles for exposure compensation and quick menu access. It boasts a touchscreen interface that works well alongside physical buttons, providing flexible operation modes.

The Olympus VR-340 lacks a dedicated mode dial and has fewer external buttons. The zoom lever circles around the shutter button, and most exposure adjustments happen through an on-screen menu system without touchscreen support - a step back in usability. This reflects Olympus’s choice to simplify the interface, targeting casual users who don't experiment much with manual settings.

The Canon’s touchscreen, measuring 3 inches with 461k dots, offers quicker navigation and better info feedback during adjustments, while Olympus’s fixed 3-inch screen at 460k resolution lacks touch and feels less vibrant.

If you prize rapid adjustments and direct control combined with intuitive touch input, the Canon S110 is superior here - especially for photographers who want to learn or control exposures without fumbling through menus.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

A compact camera’s sensor size and technology profoundly influence image quality. Let’s compare the guts of these two:

The Canon S110 uses a 1/1.7" CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm, a sensor area of approximately 41.52mm², delivering 12MP resolution. Canon’s choice of CMOS provides better power efficiency, faster readout, and improved autofocus integration. The sensor also supports RAW capture - a privilege for enthusiasts who want maximum post-processing flexibility.

In contrast, the Olympus VR-340 houses a smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor with 16MP resolution but only 6.17 x 4.55 mm sensor dimensions (~28.07mm² surface). CCDs historically yielded excellent color fidelity but lag CMOS in low-light performance and speed. Notably, the Olympus does not support RAW shooting, limiting post-exposure control.

The smaller sensor and CCD architecture on the Olympus translate into more noise in low-light, lower dynamic range, and less capability for higher ISO settings. The Canon, with its larger CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 processor, supports native ISO 80-12800, allowing cleaner images in dimmer conditions.

Dynamic range tests confirm this:

• Canon S110: Approx. 11.2 stops
• Olympus VR-340: Not tested formally but expected lower due to sensor type and smaller size

Color depth also favors Canon’s sensor with 20.6 bits compared to the Olympus’s untested but likely less vibrant output.

For photographers who prize image quality - whether portraits, landscapes, or night shots - the Canon’s sensor and processing pipeline provide a clear advantage.

Articulating the Visual Experience: Screens and Viewfinding

The rear display is your window to framing and reviewing shots, so its usability counts greatly on compacts.

The Canon S110’s fixed TFT PureColor II G touchscreen LCD is a pleasure to use: sharp, responsive, and able to handle finger taps accurately to set focus or navigate menus. This screen significantly quickens interactions, especially on the move.

Olympus’s VR-340 features a standard TFT LCD, almost the same physical size and resolution but without touch support. This translates to more button presses and slower menu gymnastics, potentially frustrating users accustomed to smartphones.

Neither camera offers a built-in viewfinder, forcing reliance on LCD in bright conditions - a common limitation at this price point.

Overall, Canon’s more versatile screen is a strong usability boost.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Catching the Moment

Autofocus capability often differentiates compact cameras, especially for active subjects like kids, pets, or street scenes.

The Canon S110 uses contrast-detection autofocus with 9 selectable points, multiple AF modes including face detection and continuous tracking - enabling better subject lock during burst sequences.

Olympus VR-340 relies on a simpler contrast-detection AF with multiarea focusing and face detection but lacks continuous AF or touch AF support.

In real use, the Canon’s AF is noticeably quicker to lock and track moving subjects, thanks to the DIGIC 5 processor and more refined tuning. Burst shooting tops at 10 fps (albeit with limited buffer), while Olympus doesn’t formally list burst rates and generally performs slower in continuous modes.

For wildlife, sports, or street photography - where split-second timing is critical - the Canon is more capable, providing more confident focus acquisition. The Olympus serves best in static or slower scenarios.

Optical Systems and Versatility: Zoom Range and Aperture

Lens quality and zoom range dictate framing options, affecting creative flexibility and distant subject capture.

The Canon S110 offers a 24-120mm (5x) equivalent zoom with an impressively bright aperture starting at f/2.0 at wide angle and decreasing to f/5.9 telephoto. Bright wide apertures help in low-light and produce pleasing background blur - valuable in portraits and macro.

Olympus VR-340 boasts a longer 24-240mm (10x) zoom, doubling Canon’s reach but starting at a dimmer f/3.0 aperture when fully wide, narrowing to f/5.7 telephoto. While the zoom extension is tempting, image sharpness generally degrades toward the extremes, and slower apertures hinder low-light performance.

For intimate portraits, street photography, and low light, Canon’s faster lens excels. For travel or wildlife shooters prioritizing reach and focal length versatility, Olympus’s extended zoom is alluring but with compromises in optical speed and image quality.

Artistic Applications: Photography Genres Under the Microscope

Let's apply our knowledge about these cameras to specific photography styles.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The Canon S110’s bright f/2.0 aperture and excellent color depth translate to appealing skin tones and a softer background, crucial for headshots or environmental portraits. Its face and eye detection AF provide reliable focus on faces, essential for sharp eyes.

Olympus VR-340’s smaller sensor struggles to create background separation; its f/3.0 lens is less capable of producing creamy bokeh. However, its longer zoom lets you isolate subjects from farther distances, a different tool for the same effect.

Verdict: Canon leads here for classic portrait benefits.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Olympus’s higher megapixel count (16MP vs. 12MP) adds resolution for big prints or tight crops, but its smaller CCD sensor reduces dynamic range. The Canon’s superior sensor delivers richer tonality in shadows and highlights, which can make or break landscape shots under harsh midday sun.

Neither works well in adverse weather (no sealing), but Canon’s lens is marginally better for wider angle landscapes due to less distortion.

Verdict: Canon for image quality; Olympus for pixel count.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Autofocus and Burst

Long reach is critical here. Olympus VR-340 shines with 240mm zoom, letting you frame distant wildlife better than the Canon’s 120mm. But the Canon’s faster AF and better burst mode make it more dependable at tracking moving animals or players.

Verdict: Depends on priority: reach (Olympus) vs focus speed (Canon).

Street Photography: Discreteness and Low Light

Canon’s faster lens and touch AF make it snappier and better in low light. Its chunkier body might draw more attention, though still compact. Olympus’s thin profile aids discretion, but slower AF and lens hurt shutter speed and low-light usability.

Verdict: Canon for performance; Olympus for stealth.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focus Accuracy

The Canon offers a close focusing distance of 3cm with a bright lens useful for details, whereas Olympus doesn’t specify macro range and lacks manual focus.

Verdict: Canon takes a clear lead for macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astro Photography: Noise and Exposure Control

Canon’s higher max ISO (12800) and RAW support help in long exposures or high ISO shooting - ideal for astro. Olympus’s low max ISO (3200) and lack of RAW limit night creativity.

Verdict: Canon is far more capable for night and astrophotography.

Video Capabilities: Recording Specs and Stabilization

Canon shoots Full HD 1080p at 24 fps with H.264 compression and optical image stabilization. Olympus maxes out at 720p HD at 30 fps with sensor-shift IS but poorer codec (Motion JPEG). Neither offers microphone input.

Verdict: Canon provides more professional video features.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

Olympus’s lightweight body and 10x zoom tap wide-to-tele conversion for travel ease. Battery life unspecified but generally less than Canon’s rated 200 shots per charge. Canon’s better IS, more sophisticated AF, and expanded manual features make it versatile for travel reportage.

Verdict: Olympus for light traveling; Canon for photo versatility.

Professional Work: Reliability and Workflow

Canon supports RAW files, shutter/aperture/manual priority modes, custom WB, exposure compensation, and wireless features facilitating integration into pro workflows. Olympus misses RAW and manual exposure modes, limiting professional appeal.

Verdict: Canon is professional gem in this pair.

Build Quality and Durability: Weather Resistance and Materials

Neither camera offers environmental sealing - neither dust, moisture, or shockproof protection is in the spec sheet. Both use plastic-bodied constructions typical for budget compacts.

Canon’s heavier weight hints at a denser feel and slightly more solid build, while Olympus prioritizes thinness over ruggedness. Both are fine for everyday use but should be treated carefully outdoors.

Storage, Connectivity, and Battery Performance

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC card media via one slot.

Canon S110 incorporates built-in WiFi for image sharing and remote operation - a feature ahead of its time for 2012. Olympus uses Eye-Fi wireless card support but lacks onboard WiFi.

Battery life favors Canon’s NB-5L rechargeable lithium-ion rated for 200 shots per charge. The Olympus uses LI-50B battery but official life ratings are unspecified, generally shorter given smaller body and older tech.

Price-to-Performance: What You Get for Your Money

At launch, the Canon S110 cost around $299 vs. Olympus VR-340 at $129.99.

Given the Canon delivers superior image quality, faster autofocus, more controls, RAW shooting, and better video, it commands a justified premium.

The Olympus VR-340 appeals as an affordable ultraportable zoom camera ideal for casual shooters wanting zoom reach over fine imaging attributes.

Final Scores and Genre-Specific Verdicts

Let’s see the performance overview and genre-specific ratings.

These reflect the Canon’s higher scores in image quality, autofocus, and versatility, versus Olympus’s strength in zoom range and portability.

Real-World Image Comparisons: What You Can Expect

Canon S110 front Canon S110 screen back Olympus VR 340 front Olympus VR 340 screen back

Here is a gallery showing sample images from both cameras under various scenarios: portraits, landscapes, and low light. You’ll notice Canon’s cleaner noise profile and truer colors especially in shadow and highlight areas. Olympus images exhibit more digital noise and slightly muted tones, offset by greater reach in telephoto shots.

Conclusion: Which Compact Should You Choose?

Both the Canon PowerShot S110 and Olympus VR-340 bring distinct strengths to the table, making the choice heavily dependent on your photography priorities.

• Choose Canon PowerShot S110 if you:

  • Value superior image quality, especially in low light
  • Want versatile manual controls and RAW shooting
  • Shoot portraits, macro, or night scenes frequently
  • Desire advanced video options and touchscreen usability
  • Are willing to invest a little more for these pro-level features

• Choose Olympus VR-340 if you:

  • Require extensive zoom range (10x telephoto)
  • Need an ultra-light, slim, pocket-friendly travel companion
  • Mostly capture casual snapshots with limited manual control needs
  • Have a tighter budget and prioritize reach over image refinement

Both cameras hold nostalgic appeal for enthusiasts wanting a no-nonsense pocketable, but the Canon S110 remains the better all-around compact, blending image quality, interface sophistication, and shooting flexibility.

In my experience, the Canon PowerShot S110 is a fine testament to thoughtful engineering in the compact segment - a camera that rewards user investment with standout imaging power and creative control. The Olympus VR-340, meanwhile, is a highly convenient run-and-gun tool for the casual zoom lover.

I hope this deep dive helps you pinpoint which compact camera best fits your photographic adventures. Happy shooting!