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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980 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
  • Replacement is Olympus VR-330
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively similar and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The VR-320 was introduced 2 years after the S980 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the VR-320 matches up against the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Sony S980

 VR-320 S980 
LaunchedJuly 2011February 2009More modern by 30 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus VR-320

 S980 VR-320 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Sony S980

 VR-320 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus VR-320 features outer 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 Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the VR-320 versus the S980.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the VR-320 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by reading a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-320 and S980.

Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Olympus VR-320 to offer you more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The younger VR-320 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-320 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Street photography highlights
Sony S980 Street photography highlights
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (158 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VR-320
Sports photography with Sony S980
47
incredible zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
17
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
70
lighter than competition (158 grams)
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
27
you can focus manually
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-320 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
32
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (158g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Sony S980
 Olympus VR-320Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VR-320 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-07-19 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-300mm (12.5x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.70 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158g (0.35 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $179 $300