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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500 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
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus VR-330
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Later Model is Sony A560
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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the A500 (12MP) is very well matched but the VR-320 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizing.

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The VR-320 was unveiled 24 months after the A500 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VR-320 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick overview of how the VR-320 matches up vs the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Sony A500

 VR-320 A500 
IntroducedJuly 2011August 2009Newer by 24 months

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Olympus VR-320

 A500 VR-320 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Sony A500

 VR-320 A500 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus VR-320 has physical dimensions of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the VR-320 against the A500.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the VR-320 and A500 is 94 and 63 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions just by checking specifications. The pic here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-320 and A500.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The VR-320 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Olympus VR-320 will give you greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more modern VR-320 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VR-320
Portrait photography with Sony A500
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Street photography info
Sony A500 Street photography info
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (158g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VR-320
Sports photography with Sony A500
47
incredible zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (5.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VR-320
Travel photography with Sony A500
70
lighter than competition (158 grams)
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
43
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (520 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Landscape photography information
Sony A500 Landscape photography information
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
terrible battery power (520 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Vlogging details
Sony A500 Vlogging details
32
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
lighter than competition (158g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
9
no video
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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Sony A500
 Olympus VR-320Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus VR-320 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-07-19 2009-08-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-300mm (12.5x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 gr (0.35 lb) 630 gr (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 772
Other
Battery life - 520 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-42B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $179 $638