Olympus E-500 vs Olympus VR-320

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-500 versus Olympus VR-320, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Olympus. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and VR-320 (14MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and VR-320 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-500 was unveiled 6 years prior to the VR-320 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus VR-320 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-500 grades versus the VR-320 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-500 & Olympus VR-320. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-500 Gallery & Olympus VR-320 Gallery.

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-500 offers outer dimensions of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) while the Olympus VR-320 has specifications of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Olympus E-500 versus Olympus VR-320 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-500 and the VR-320.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-500 and VR-320 is 70 and 94 respectively.

Generally, it is hard to picture the contrast between sensor measurements only by reading specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-500 and VR-320.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-500 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus VR-320 will offer extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older E-500 is going to be behind in sensor technology.