Clicky

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS40 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
  • Launched July 2011
  • Successor is Olympus VR-330
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS45
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus VR-320 versus Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the VR-320 (14MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The VR-320 was manufactured 3 years before the ZS40 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a short highlight of how the VR-320 scores versus the ZS40 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Panasonic ZS40

 VR-320 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Olympus VR-320

 ZS40 VR-320 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014July 2011Fresher by 30 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic ZS40

 VR-320 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus VR-320 comes with exterior measurements 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 ZS40 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus VR-320 versus Panasonic ZS40 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the VR-320 vs the ZS40.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VR-320 and ZS40 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the VR-320 and ZS40.

As you can tell, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS40 to produce more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older VR-320 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VR-320
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS40
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
52
manual focus
decent MP (18 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography factors
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (158g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VR-320
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS40
47
excellent zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
54
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VR-320
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
70
lighter than competitors (158 grams)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors (240g)
decent MP (18MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography information
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
56
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse function
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging highlights
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (158g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
34
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic ZS40
 Olympus VR-320Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VR-320 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-19 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-300mm (12.5x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158g (0.35 lb) 240g (0.53 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 - 300 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $179 $450