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Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax S1

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Newer Model is Olympus VR-330
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus VR-320 versus Pentax S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the S1 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The VR-320 was launched 5 months later than the S1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the VR-320 grades vs the S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Pentax S1

 VR-320 S1 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Olympus VR-320

 S1 VR-320 
Manual focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Pentax S1

 VR-320 S1 
ReleasedJuly 2011March 2011Same generation
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 Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus VR-320 provides 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 Pentax S1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Olympus VR-320 versus Pentax S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the VR-320 against the S1.

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VR-320 and S1 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing a spec sheet. The visual underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the VR-320 and S1.

Clearly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos though you should really consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Portrait photography info
Pentax S1 Portrait photography info
33
good MP (14MP)
features face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
35
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Street photography highlights
Pentax S1 Street photography highlights
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (158 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Sports photography details
Pentax S1 Sports photography details
47
excellent zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-320 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than competition (158g)
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
64
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-320 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Landscape photography camera
42
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
42
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VR-320
Vlogging with Pentax S1
32
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
lighter than competition (158 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
28
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Pentax S1
 Olympus VR-320Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus VR-320 Pentax Optio S1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-07-19 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
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
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-300mm (12.5x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.70 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 gr (0.35 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B D-LI92
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 1 1
Cost at launch $179 $174