Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VR-340

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VR-340, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the VR-340 (16MP) is very similar but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and VR-340 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-PM2 was manufactured 17 months after the VR-340 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus VR-340 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-PM2 grades versus the VR-340 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PM2 and Olympus VR-340. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery and Olympus VR-340 Gallery.

If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM2 offers outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Olympus VR-340 has specifications of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VR-340 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-PM2 versus the VR-340.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and VR-340 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Generally, it's tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specs. The pic below will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM2 and VR-340.

All in all, the 2 cameras posses the exact same MP but not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 offers the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field less difficult. The more recent E-PM2 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.