Olympus VR-320 vs Panasonic ZS5

Following is a extended comparison of the Olympus VR-320 versus Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The VR-320 was revealed 14 months after the ZS5 making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the VR-320 scores vs the ZS5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus VR-320 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus VR-320 Gallery and Panasonic ZS5 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera often, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VR-320 has got external dimensions of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check the Olympus VR-320 versus Panasonic ZS5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the VR-320 against the ZS5.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VR-320 and ZS5 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Typically, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching a spec sheet. The pic here might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-320 and ZS5.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Olympus VR-320 to result in more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos more aggressively. The fresher VR-320 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.