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Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Olympus VR-330 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Olympus VR-330
(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  • Superseded the Olympus VR-320
Panasonic S3
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-330 over the Panasonic S3

 VR-330 S3 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper 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 
IntroducedFebruary 2011January 2011Similar generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VR-330
Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Street photography advice
Panasonic S3 Street photography advice
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (158g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Sports photography advice
Panasonic S3 Sports photography advice
47
great zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Travel photography features
Panasonic S3 Travel photography features
70
lighter than average in class (158 grams)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than others in class (117g)
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VR-330
Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
42
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
38
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Vlogging features
Panasonic S3 Vlogging features
32
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (158g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
31
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
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Olympus VR-330 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-330 and Panasonic S3
 Olympus VR-330Panasonic 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