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Olympus VH-515 vs Sony NEX-7

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus VH-515 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-7 front
Portability
84
Imaging
63
Features
71
Overall
66

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony NEX-7 Key Specs

Olympus VH-515
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 60 x 21mm
  • Announced August 2012
Sony NEX-7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
  • Announced December 2011
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Olympus VH-515 vs Sony NEX-7 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus VH-515 and Sony NEX-7, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the VH-515 (12MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) and the VH-515 (1/2.3") and NEX-7 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The VH-515 was launched 9 months later than the NEX-7 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus VH-515 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a short overview of how the VH-515 matches up versus the NEX-7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Sony NEX-7

 VH-515 NEX-7 
AnnouncedAugust 2012December 2011Fresher by 9 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Olympus VH-515

 NEX-7 VH-515 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VH-515 and Sony NEX-7

 VH-515 NEX-7 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus VH-515 enjoys physical measurements of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Sony NEX-7 has proportions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VH-515 and Sony NEX-7 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the VH-515 vs the NEX-7.

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the VH-515 and NEX-7 is 95 and 84 respectively.

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony NEX-7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing merely by reviewing technical specs. The photograph here may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the VH-515 and NEX-7.

As you can tell, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The VH-515 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony NEX-7 will deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern VH-515 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony NEX-7 sensor size comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VH-515 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-7 Portrait photography information
27
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
77
has manual focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-7 Street photography factors
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes touch focus
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
76
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus VH-515 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-7 as a Sports photography camera
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
61
decent MP (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (430 shots)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-7 Travel photography information
62
includes touch focus
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
great battery life (430 CIPA)
decent MP (24MP)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-7 Landscape photography information
37
pretty wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (430 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-7 Vlogging advice
35
pretty wide (26mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic support
35
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Olympus VH-515 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VH-515 and Sony NEX-7
 Olympus VH-515Sony Alpha NEX-7
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VH-515 Sony Alpha NEX-7
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2012-08-21 2011-12-13
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 16000
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.70 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 152 grams (0.34 lb) 400 grams (0.88 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 60 x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 81
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1016
Other
Battery life - 430 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $648 $699