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Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ1 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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus VR-330
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic SZ1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The VR-320 was revealed 5 months earlier than the SZ1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the VR-320 scores vs the SZ1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Panasonic SZ1

 VR-320 SZ1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus VR-320

 SZ1 VR-320 

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic SZ1

 VR-320 SZ1 
AnnouncedJuly 2011January 2012Similar generation
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus VR-320 comes with external dimensions of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ1 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic SZ1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the VR-320 versus the SZ1.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VR-320 and SZ1 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to picture the gap between sensor measurements only by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-320 and SZ1.

As you have seen, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Panasonic SZ1 to deliver more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography features
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
34
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VR-320
Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (158 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VR-320
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
47
long zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography information
70
lighter than others (158 grams)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
lighter than competition in class (131g)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography advice
42
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging factors
32
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than others (158g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (131g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus VR-320Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VR-320 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-07-19 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-300mm (12.5x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158g (0.35 lbs) 131g (0.29 lbs)
Physical 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 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $179 $179