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Olympus VR-330 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Olympus VR-330 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus VR-330 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Olympus VR-330
(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 February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus VR-320
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Photography Glossary

Olympus VR-330 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus VR-330 and Pentax K-5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the VR-330 (14MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the VR-330 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The VR-330 was unveiled 2 months later than the K-5 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VR-330 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the VR-330 grades against the K-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-330 over the Pentax K-5

 VR-330 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus VR-330

 K-5 VR-330 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VR-330 and Pentax K-5

 VR-330 K-5 
IntroducedFebruary 2011December 2010Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus VR-330 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Olympus VR-330 has physical measurements of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Check the Olympus VR-330 and Pentax K-5 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 differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the VR-330 and the K-5.

Olympus VR-330 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VR-330 and K-5 is 94 and 60 respectively.

Olympus VR-330 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-330 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements simply by looking at specs. The graphic below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the VR-330 and K-5.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The VR-330 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-5 will give you greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively.

Olympus VR-330 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-330 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-330 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography info
33
MP count good (14MP)
features face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
73
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VR-330
Street photography with Pentax K-5
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (158g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-5 Sports photography advice
47
long zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VR-330
Travel photography with Pentax K-5
70
lighter than competition in class (158 grams)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (300mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
65
weather proof
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography highlights
42
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-5 Vlogging factors
32
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (158g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Olympus VR-330 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-330 and Pentax K-5
 Olympus VR-330Pentax K-5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus VR-330 Pentax K-5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-02-08 2010-12-18
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-300mm (12.5x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.70 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video 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 Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158g (0.35 pounds) 740g (1.63 pounds)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $220 $800