Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus VR-320

Canon PowerShot SX730 HS vs. Olympus VR-320: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting the ideal compact superzoom camera requires a nuanced understanding of specific model capabilities as they pertain to diverse photographic disciplines and user requirements. This article provides an exhaustive comparative analysis of two small sensor superzoom compacts: the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS and the Olympus VR-320. Both cameras occupy entry-level price segments but differ markedly in technical architecture, sensor technology, feature sets, and practical performance. Drawing on extensive hands-on testing methodologies and sensor evaluations, this review dissects these models across sensor performance, ergonomics, autofocus systems, video functionality, and genre-specific aptitude to inform discerning photographers in their purchasing decisions.

Physical Dimensions and Ergonomics: Form Factor Implications

The Canon SX730 HS measures 110 x 64 x 40 mm and weighs approximately 300 grams with battery and card, whereas the Olympus VR-320 is more compact and lighter, at 101 x 58 x 29 mm and 158 grams respectively. Both cameras are designed as pocketable compacts, yet the SX730 HS offers a noticeably more substantial grip and control surface, aligning better to single-hand operation during extended shooting sessions.

• Canon SX730 HS: The bulkier body affords a more confident hold, reducing camera shake which is critical when harnessing its 40x optical zoom range. This also contributes positively to user experience during telephoto photography and video recording.

• Olympus VR-320: While the smaller, lighter construction benefits portability and street discreteness, ergonomics suffer slightly with limited control space and a reduced tactile feel on buttons and zoom controls.

This size and grip distinction is the first practical signifier differentiating these cameras’ suitability for varying photographic use cases - travellers prioritizing lightness might prefer the Olympus, whereas users requiring more operational control may lean towards the Canon.

Analyzing the Top-View Control Layout and Interface

The Canon SX730 HS reveals a thoughtfully laid-out top panel including a dedicated mode dial, zoom lever encircling the shutter button, and a prominent power switch enabling swift camera activation. The physical mode dial supports expedited access to PASM (Program, Aperture, Shutter priority, Manual) exposure modes, essential for photographers who favor creative exposure control. This is a feature conspicuously absent on the Olympus VR-320, which provides only fully automatic and scene modes.

Furthermore, the Canon’s inclusion of a physical exposure compensation button and a customizable function button enhances in-field adaptability. By contrast, the VR-320’s control scheme is minimalist - with no physical mode dial, manual focus, or exposure control - geared primarily to casual shooters less intent on manual parameter adjustments.

This control ergonomics evaluation underscores the SX730 HS’s orientation towards photographic enthusiasts desiring rapid mode shifting and tailored exposure control, whereas the VR-320 serves as a straightforward point-and-shoot device with simplicity prioritized over configurability.

Sensor Technology and Imaging Performance

Both cameras incorporate 1/2.3-inch sensors (approximately 6.17 x 4.55 mm / 28.07 mm² sensor area), confirming equivalence in physical sensor dimensions. However, critical divergence arises in sensor technology and resolution:

• Canon SX730 HS: Equipped with a 20.3MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, combined with Canon’s DIGIC 6 image processor. BSI CMOS sensors provide improved light-gathering efficiency, enhancing low-light capability and dynamic range compared to traditional sensor architectures. The higher pixel count affords a native maximum resolution of 5184 x 3888 pixels, facilitating finer detail capture, cropping flexibility, and better print output quality.

• Olympus VR-320: Employs a 14MP CCD sensor paired with TruePic III processing. While CCD sensors have historically excelled in color fidelity and noise control for lower ISOs, by the early 2010s CCD technology trailed CMOS in terms of power consumption, noise performance at higher ISO settings, and video capabilities. The resolution maxes out at 4288 x 3216 pixels.

Real-world performance tests and pixel-level scrutiny reveal the following:

• Dynamic Range: The BSI CMOS sensor of the Canon SX730 HS exhibits superior dynamic range, enabling better detail retention in shadows and highlights, crucial for landscape and high contrast scenes.
• Low-Light ISO Sensitivity: The Canon’s sensor handles ISO extensions up to 3200 with relatively restrained noise artifacts, whereas the Olympus sensor maxes at ISO 1600 and degrades markedly beyond ISO 800, limiting usability in dim scenarios.
• Color Accuracy: Both models incorporate anti-aliasing filters and multi-segment metering, but Canon’s advanced image pipeline yields richer skin tones and more accurate color reproducibility, beneficial for portrait photography.

Conclusively, the Canon’s sensor and processor synergy deliver significantly enhanced image quality, especially in challenging lighting and for resolution-demanding applications.

Display and User Interface Experience

Each camera mounts a 3-inch LCD screen, but screen resolution and flexibility differ:

• Canon SX730 HS: Features a 3-inch tilting screen with 922k-dot resolution. The articulation optimizes composition from awkward angles such as low or overhead perspectives - a boon for macro work, street photography, and video vlogging. Despite lack of touchscreen input, the screen brightness and sharpness are usable in diverse lighting conditions. The lack of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) could hinder framing in bright sunlight.

• Olympus VR-320: Sports a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with only 230k-dot resolution, rendering a visibly less crisp live view and playback experience. Fixed positioning constrains compositional versatility; usability is lower in bright outdoor conditions due to reduced brightness.

These distinctions affect operational ease considerably. The Canon’s higher resolution tilting screen better supports transparent menu navigation and image assessment, favorable for careful composition and exposure review in the field.

Autofocus System: Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility

Autofocus (AF) capabilities are foundational to image capture success across all genres, especially wildlife, sports, and street photography. The comparative analysis reveals:

• Canon SX730 HS: Utilizes a contrast-detection AF system on the CMOS sensor with face detection and continuous AF tracking. AF speed is moderate but dependable in well-lit contexts. Incorporation of center and multi-area AF augments subject acquisition flexibility. Face detection aligns well with portraiture, enabling accurate eye tracking, although no specialized animal eye AF exists. Manual focus is supported, adding compositional control.

• Olympus VR-320: Also relies solely on contrast AF with face detection and multi-area AF, but lacks continuous AF. The absence of manual focus further limits precision in challenging focus scenarios (macro or low contrast subjects). AF speed is noticeably slower and less reliable in low light or fast-moving subjects.

This evidence suggests the Canon SX730 HS affords a more versatile and responsive AF system better suited for dynamic photographic situations, though neither model reaches the performance of advanced phase-detect AF systems found in higher-end cameras.

Lens Characteristics and Zoom Range Impact

The lens configuration strongly influences operational flexibility:

• Canon SX730 HS: Fixed zoom lens of 24-960 mm equivalence (40x optical zoom) with maximum apertures ranging from f/3.3 to f/6.9. This extensive zoom range offers remarkable reach, covering wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife or sports subjects. Optical image stabilization (OIS) is lens-based and effective, indispensable at longer focal lengths to mitigate handshake blur. Macro focusing distance of 1 cm supports close-up shooting though minimum aperture limits depth of field control.

• Olympus VR-320: Fixed zoom lens of 24-300 mm equivalence (12.5x optical zoom) with maximum apertures of f/3.0-5.9. The shorter zoom range constrains telephoto capabilities but is adequate for general-purpose photography. Sensor-shift image stabilization assists in reducing blur across focal lengths but may not match the longer reach advantages of the Canon’s system.

From a practical viewpoint, the Canon’s telephoto reach significantly expands photographic possibilities, allowing wildlife and sports shooters to capture distant subjects without lens swaps or binoculars. On the downside, the narrower maximum apertures at telephoto ends will require higher ISO or slower shutter speeds, impacting low-light performance.

Continuous Shooting and Shutter Functionality

Burst rates and shutter speed ranges influence action photography and creative control:

• Canon SX730 HS: Offers continuous shooting at 5.9 frames per second (fps) with a shutter speed range from 1/3200 down to 15 seconds. The upper shutter speed limit is typical for compact cameras and sufficient for freezing moderate action. The relatively high burst rate facilitates moderate sports and wildlife sequences, albeit reduced buffer depth can limit extended bursts.

• Olympus VR-320: Does not specify continuous shooting capabilities (likely single frame capture only) and supports shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 4 seconds. The slower shutter speed ceiling restricts action freezing and long-exposure flexibility. Lack of continuous shooting makes the camera unsuitable for fast-moving subjects or burst capture.

For users requiring action or wildlife photography functionality, the Canon SX730 HS’s shutter and burst capabilities represent a tangible advantage.

Video Recording Capabilities

In the current digital milieu, video capability is essential for multimedia content creators:

• Canon SX730 HS: Records Full HD 1080p video at up to 60 fps in MP4 format using H.264 compression. The camera’s DIGIC 6 processor ensures smooth frame delivery, decent color grading, and minimal rolling shutter artifacts. Optical stabilization assists handheld footage. However, the absence of external microphone and headphone jacks limits audio quality control, an important caveat for professional videographers. Lacking 4K capacities, it remains confined to HD video.

• Olympus VR-320: Offers only HD 720p at 30 fps and below in Motion JPEG format - a highly compressed, larger file size codec. Video quality is modest with limited detail retention and dynamic range. There is no image stabilization during video capture. Absence of external audio inputs mirrors Canon’s limitation but compounded by lower video resolution.

The Canon model provides a more modern, flexible video recorder suited for casual filmmaking and high-quality home videos, while Olympus’ video capabilities lag significantly behind.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery longevity and data transfer options establish user workflow efficiency:

• Canon SX730 HS: Rated at approximately 250 shots per charge using the proprietary battery pack. Acceptable for a compact superzoom but short for extended travel usage without spares. USB 2.0 and HDMI ports support file transfer and external display; integrated Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth enable easy wireless image sharing and remote control via mobile devices.

• Olympus VR-320: Battery life metrics unspecified but powered by the LI-42B battery which generally yields around 200 shots. USB 2.0 is standard but no HDMI or wireless connectivity exists, restricting immediate sharing and remote operation capabilities. Limited storage support for SD/SDHC cards.

Canon’s expanded connectivity and somewhat better battery life position it as a more pragmatic companion for contemporary users conscious of content sharing and on-the-go editing demands.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Both cameras are constructed from lightweight plastic bodies lacking any official weather sealing. For casual to semi-serious travel and outdoor photography, careful handling is warranted. The Olympus, being older, features a less robust build compared to the Canon. Neither offers shock, dust, or freeze protection, consistent with their compact superzoom class.

Practical Assessment Across Photography Disciplines

Canon SX730 HS front Canon SX730 HS screen back Olympus VR 320 front Olympus VR 320 screen back

A diverse test shoot employing both cameras across genres yielded the following insights:

• Portrait Photography: Canon’s higher resolution and face detection afford superior skin tone rendering and subtle bokeh effects enabled by lens aperture and sensor synergy. Olympus renders flatter color and background blur due to sensor and lens constraints.

• Landscape Photography: The Canon’s wider zoom range and better dynamic range produce richer images with more highlight and shadow detail. Olympus exhibits quicker noise onset in shadows. Neither offers weather resistance, limiting harsh conditions.

• Wildlife Photography: Canon’s 40x zoom and faster autofocus are decisive, while Olympus’ shorter reach and slower AF curtail effective wildlife capture.

• Sports Photography: Only the Canon supports continuous burst capture at near 6 fps, suitable for moderate sports; Olympus is unsuitable here.

• Street Photography: Olympus offers lighter portability and inconspicuousness but with modest image quality. Canon is bulkier but provides better image fidelity.

• Macro Photography: Both achieve similar minimum focus distances (~1 cm), but Canon’s ability to manually focus benefits precision. Optical stabilization aids sharper close-ups.

• Night/Astro Photography: Canon’s higher max ISO and longer shutter speed range allow improved low-light and star photography. Olympus’ max ISO of 1600 and shorter shutter range are less adept.

• Video: Canon outperforms with Full HD, faster frame rates, and OIS. Olympus is limited to basic 720p capture.

• Travel: Canon demands larger pack space and extra batteries but covers all focal ranges needed. Olympus’ extreme lightness suits minimum gear travel.

• Professional Use: Neither camera offers RAW support or pro-level workflow features; Canon more capable on exposure control but both remain amateur level.

Performance Ratings and Quantitative Comparison

This chart condenses laboratory and field test scores, highlighting Canon’s dominant performance in image quality, autofocus, video, and operational control. Olympus scores respectable in portability and ease of use but trails in technical performance.

Genre-Specific Recommendations Based on Performance Metrics

The Canon SX730 HS is clearly preferable for users aspiring towards wildlife, sports, portrait, landscape, and video applications needing greater zoom and manual control. Conversely, the Olympus VR-320 suits casual travel and everyday snapshot use where compactness and simplicity are paramount.

Price-to-Performance Ratio and Purchasing Implications

While the Canon SX730 HS retails near $400, providing substantial versatility and modern features, the Olympus VR-320 costs less than half (~$179), reflecting its simpler, older technology.

Buyers should weigh priorities: if budget constraints dominate and usage centers around casual family snapshots, the Olympus remains a logical choice. For photography enthusiasts or semi-professionals seeking an advanced compact with extended zoom and creative controls, the Canon is worth the premium.

Conclusion: Which Compact Superzoom Fits Your Photography Style?

Both the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS and Olympus VR-320 represent functional small sensor superzoom compacts aimed at the entry-level market, but they present notably different technological epochs and photographic philosophies.

Choose the Canon SX730 HS if you:

• Desire extensive zoom reach (40x) for wildlife, sports, or landscape photography
• Need flexible PASM exposure control and manual focus capability
• Value higher resolution imagery with better dynamic range and low-light performance
• Require Full HD video at 60p with optical stabilization for casual filmmaking
• Expect wireless connectivity for modern workflow integration
• Can accommodate a slightly larger, heavier body

Choose the Olympus VR-320 if you:

• Prioritize ultra-lightweight and compact portability for casual snapshots
• Primarily shoot in good lighting without complex exposure needs
• Have minimal interest in video or manual operation
• Seek a very affordable camera for everyday convenience

In sum, the Canon SX730 HS weights favorably when evaluating image quality, control, and versatility; the Olympus VR-320’s value resides in a simpler form factor and price point. Your selection should fundamentally align with intended photographic applications and operational preferences.

Author’s Note: This comparison draws on extensive empirical testing of camera sensors, real-world shooting under varied lighting and subjects, and methodical field evaluation of ergonomics and user interface responsiveness. It aims to ground buyers’ decisions in substantial, practical knowledge rather than marketing hyperbole, fulfilling a critical need for authoritative guidance in a crowded compact camera market.