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Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A230

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Olympus VR-330 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A230 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
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus VR-320
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Earlier Model is Sony A200
  • Renewed by Sony A290
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Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A230 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus VR-330 versus Sony A230, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the VR-330 (14MP) and A230 (10MP) and the VR-330 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The VR-330 was released 22 months later than the A230 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus VR-330 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the VR-330 grades versus the A230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-330 over the Sony A230

 VR-330 A230 
LaunchedFebruary 2011May 2009More recent by 22 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus VR-330

 A230 VR-330 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus VR-330 and Sony A230

 VR-330 A230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Olympus VR-330 has got outside 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 A230 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Olympus VR-330 versus Sony A230 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the VR-330 compared to the A230.

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the VR-330 and A230 is 94 and 69 respectively.

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to see the gap between sensor measurements simply by going over specs. The photograph underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the VR-330 and A230.

All in all, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The VR-330 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Olympus VR-330 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The more modern VR-330 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Portrait photography features
Sony A230 Portrait photography features
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
54
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Street photography factors
Sony A230 Street photography factors
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (158g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VR-330
Sports photography with Sony A230
47
amazing zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
bad battery (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Travel photography info
Sony A230 Travel photography info
70
lighter than others in class (158g)
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
45
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery (230 CIPA)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Landscape photography information
Sony A230 Landscape photography information
42
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
bad battery (230 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Vlogging highlights
Sony A230 Vlogging highlights
32
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (158g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-330 and Sony A230
 Olympus VR-330Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VR-330 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-02-08 2009-05-18
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-300mm (12.5x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.70 m 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 158 grams (0.35 pounds) 490 grams (1.08 pounds)
Physical dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $220 $569