Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3
94 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37


96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2011
- Superseded the Olympus VR-320
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Introduced January 2011

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 Overview
Following is a complete comparison of the Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the VR-330 (14MP) and the S3 (14MP) is very similar and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The VR-330 was launched 2 months after the S3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the VR-330 matches up versus the S3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus VR-330 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus VR-330 Gallery and Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VR-330 over the Panasonic S3
VR-330 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus VR-330
S3 | VR-330 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus VR-330 and Panasonic S3
VR-330 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2011 | ![]() | January 2011 | Similar generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch display |
Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus VR-330 comes with 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) while the Panasonic S3 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the VR-330 vs the S3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VR-330 and S3 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The picture here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-330 and S3.
As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of images though you might want to factor the release date of the products into consideration.

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
Olympus VR-330 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus VR-330 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2011-02-08 | 2011-01-05 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-300mm (12.5x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 8 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.70 m | 3.30 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 158g (0.35 lb) | 117g (0.26 lb) |
Dimensions | 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 life | - | 250 shots |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-42B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $220 | $110 |