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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A55

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus VR-320 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A55 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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Later Model is Olympus VR-330
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced August 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony A57
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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A55 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Olympus VR-320 and Sony A55, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the VR-320 (14MP) and the A55 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the VR-320 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The VR-320 was revealed 11 months after the A55 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VR-320 being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the VR-320 grades versus the A55 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Sony A55

 VR-320 A55 
IntroducedJuly 2011August 2010Newer by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Olympus VR-320

 A55 VR-320 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus VR-320 and Sony A55

 VR-320 A55 
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account 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) and the Sony A55 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Examine the Olympus VR-320 and Sony A55 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the VR-320 compared to the A55.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the VR-320 and A55 is 94 and 67 respectively.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The pic underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-320 and A55.

As you can see, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The VR-320 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A55 will resolve greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The newer VR-320 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Portrait photography factors
Sony A55 Portrait photography factors
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
73
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-320 as a Street photography camera
Sony A55 as a Street photography camera
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (158 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
77
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Sports photography highlights
Sony A55 Sports photography highlights
47
great zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery power (380 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-320 Travel photography features
Sony A55 Travel photography features
70
lighter than competitors (158g)
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (300mm)
no Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
62
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
no Time Lapse recording
low battery power (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VR-320
Landscape photography with Sony A55
42
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
67
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
low battery power (380 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VR-320
Vlogging with Sony A55
32
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (158 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone jack
78
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic jack
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Olympus VR-320 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-320 and Sony A55
 Olympus VR-320Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VR-320 Sony SLT-A55
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2011-07-19 2010-08-24
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-300mm (12.5x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.70 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158g (0.35 pounds) 500g (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $179 $800