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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-5N 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
  • Announced July 2011
  • Successor is Olympus VR-330
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Revealed October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R
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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Olympus VR-320 and Sony NEX-5N, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is very well matched but the VR-320 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) use different sensor sizes.

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The VR-320 was manufactured 2 months prior to the NEX-5N which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VR-320 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the VR-320 grades against the NEX-5N in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Sony NEX-5N

 VR-320 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus VR-320

 NEX-5N VR-320 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Sony NEX-5N

 VR-320 NEX-5N 
RevealedJuly 2011October 2011Similar generation
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus VR-320 has got exterior dimensions of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus VR-320 and Sony NEX-5N in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the VR-320 against the NEX-5N.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the VR-320 and NEX-5N is 94 and 89 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by looking at specs. The image underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-320 and NEX-5N.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The VR-320 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony NEX-5N will give you more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography highlights
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
73
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Street photography info
Sony NEX-5N Street photography info
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (158 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
offers touch to focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography factors
47
amazing zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
58
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VR-320
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5N
70
lighter than others (158g)
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (300mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
great battery (460 CIPA)
offers touch to focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography highlights
42
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
71
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (460 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging information
32
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than others (158g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
33
has touchscreen
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus VR-320Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus VR-320 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-07-19 2011-10-03
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-300mm (12.5x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 gr (0.35 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 77
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1079
Other
Battery life - 460 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-42B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $179 $550