Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ8
94 Imaging
37 Features
35 Overall
36


94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs
(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
- Successor is Olympus VR-330
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
- Launched January 2014

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Olympus VR-320 versus Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The VR-320 was launched 3 years earlier than the SZ8 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the VR-320 grades against the SZ8 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ8 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus VR-320 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus VR-320 Gallery & Panasonic SZ8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Panasonic SZ8
VR-320 | SZ8 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus VR-320
SZ8 | VR-320 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2014 | ![]() | July 2011 | Newer by 30 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic SZ8
VR-320 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus VR-320 has got outer measurements of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has sizing of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus VR-320 versus Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the VR-320 against the SZ8.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VR-320 and SZ8 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by going through a spec sheet. The image underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the VR-320 and SZ8.
Clearly, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic SZ8 to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged VR-320 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications
Olympus VR-320 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus VR-320 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-07-19 | 2014-01-06 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic III | Venus Engine |
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 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 |
Peak resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-300mm (12.5x) | 24-288mm (12.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.1-6.3 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 8s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.70 m | 5.20 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
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) | 159 grams (0.35 lb) |
Dimensions | 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | - | 200 photographs |
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 | One | One |
Pricing at release | $179 | $275 |