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Olympus VR-320 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Olympus VR-320 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Olympus VR-320
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Replacement is Olympus VR-330
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Other Name is WB550
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Olympus VR-320 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Olympus VR-320 versus Samsung HZ15W, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is fairly similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The VR-320 was brought out 2 years later than the HZ15W and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the VR-320 grades versus the HZ15W with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Samsung HZ15W

 VR-320 HZ15W 
IntroducedJuly 2011February 2009Fresher by 30 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Olympus VR-320

 HZ15W VR-320 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Samsung HZ15W

 VR-320 HZ15W 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus VR-320 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus VR-320 has external 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) whilst the Samsung HZ15W has sizing of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VR-320 versus Samsung HZ15W in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the VR-320 compared to the HZ15W.

Olympus VR-320 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VR-320 and HZ15W is 94 and 90 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over a spec sheet. The graphic here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the VR-320 and HZ15W.

As you can see, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus VR-320 to offer you more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The newer VR-320 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VR-320 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Portrait photography features
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography features
33
good resolution (14MP)
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
31
focusing manually
features face detection focusing
no manual mode
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Street photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Street photography advice
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (158 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
52
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than average (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Sports photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography advice
47
excellent zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Travel photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography advice
70
lighter than others in class (158g)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
54
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than average (249g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-320 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
40
focusing manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Vlogging details
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging details
32
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (158 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
28
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than average (249 grams)
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Olympus VR-320 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Samsung HZ15W
 Olympus VR-320Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Company Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus VR-320 Samsung HZ15W
Other name - WB550
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-07-19 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
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 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-300mm (12.5x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 grams (0.35 lb) 249 grams (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 ID LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $179 $330