Clicky

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Released July 2011
  • Refreshed by Olympus VR-330
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Released July 2014
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The VR-320 was unveiled 4 years before the XG-1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VR-320 being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief overview of how the VR-320 matches up vs the XG-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Pentax XG-1

 VR-320 XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Olympus VR-320

 XG-1 VR-320 
ReleasedJuly 2014July 2011Newer by 36 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Pentax XG-1

 VR-320 XG-1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus VR-320 features physical dimensions of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax XG-1 has measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") and a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Check out the Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the VR-320 versus the XG-1.

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the VR-320 and XG-1 is 94 and 66 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the VR-320 and XG-1.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Pentax XG-1 to provide you with extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged VR-320 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Portrait photography info
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography info
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
40
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Street photography details
Pentax XG-1 Street photography details
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (158g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (567 grams)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Sports photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography factors
47
great zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
45
great zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (240 shots)
has no phase detect AF
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VR-320
Travel photography with Pentax XG-1
70
lighter than competitors in class (158g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
52
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (240 shots)
more heavy than competition (567g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Landscape photography advice
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography advice
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
45
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery life (240 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Vlogging details
Pentax XG-1 Vlogging details
32
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (158g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
25
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
missing microphone support
more heavy than competition (567g)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus VR-320 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Pentax XG-1
 Olympus VR-320Pentax XG-1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus VR-320 Pentax XG-1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-07-19 2014-07-15
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD BSI-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 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-300mm (12.5x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate - 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 gr (0.35 pounds) 567 gr (1.25 pounds)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
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 - 240 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-42B LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $179 $599