Clicky

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
  • Renewed by Olympus VR-330
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-F3
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus VR-320 versus Sony NEX-C3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the VR-320 (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The VR-320 was launched around the same time to the NEX-C3 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus VR-320 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the VR-320 grades against the NEX-C3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Sony NEX-C3

 VR-320 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus VR-320

 NEX-C3 VR-320 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Sony NEX-C3

 VR-320 NEX-C3 
AnnouncedJuly 2011August 2011Same generation
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus VR-320 comes with external 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) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has proportions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Olympus VR-320 versus Sony NEX-C3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the VR-320 vs the NEX-C3.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the VR-320 and NEX-C3 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by checking out technical specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-320 and NEX-C3.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The VR-320 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sony NEX-C3 will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography factors
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VR-320
Street photography with Sony NEX-C3
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (158g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
79
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (225g)
does not have image stabilization
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography advice
47
incredible zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
53
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (400 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VR-320
Travel photography with Sony NEX-C3
70
lighter than competition in class (158 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (300mm)
no Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
better than average battery pack (400 CIPA)
lighter than competition (225 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography information
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse function
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse recording
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VR-320
Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
32
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (158g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone support
27
lighter than competition (225 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Sony NEX-C3
 Olympus VR-320Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VR-320 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-07-19 2011-08-22
Body design 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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-300mm (12.5x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed - 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.70 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158g (0.35 pounds) 225g (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1083
Other
Battery life - 400 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $179 $343