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Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Olympus VR-320
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-300mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 101 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • New Model is Olympus VR-330
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus VR-320 versus Panasonic S3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty similar and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The VR-320 was introduced 7 months after the S3 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the VR-320 matches up versus the S3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Panasonic S3

 VR-320 S3 
LaunchedJuly 2011January 2011More modern by 7 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus VR-320

 S3 VR-320 

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic S3

 VR-320 S3 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus VR-320 provides outside dimensions of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check the Olympus VR-320 versus Panasonic S3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the VR-320 versus the S3.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the VR-320 and S3 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to see the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-320 and S3.

As you can see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP and you can expect similar quality of files but you should always consider the age of the products into consideration. The fresher VR-320 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-320 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Street photography factors
Panasonic S3 Street photography factors
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (158g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Sports photography features
Panasonic S3 Sports photography features
47
excellent zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
includes tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VR-320
Travel photography with Panasonic S3
70
lighter than competition (158g)
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography advice
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
38
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Vlogging info
Panasonic S3 Vlogging info
32
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
lighter than competition (158 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
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Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic S3
 Olympus VR-320Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VR-320 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-07-19 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-300mm (12.5x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 grams (0.35 lb) 117 grams (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $179 $110