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Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Olympus VR-330 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-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
  • Launched February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus VR-320
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5N
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Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Olympus VR-330 versus Sony NEX-5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VR-330 (14MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very well matched but the VR-330 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The VR-330 was launched 9 months later than the NEX-5 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VR-330 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the VR-330 matches up versus the NEX-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-330 over the Sony NEX-5

 VR-330 NEX-5 
ReleasedFebruary 2011June 2010Fresher by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Olympus VR-330

 NEX-5 VR-330 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VR-330 and Sony NEX-5

 VR-330 NEX-5 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus VR-330 has got physical measurements of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check the Olympus VR-330 versus Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the VR-330 compared to the NEX-5.

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VR-330 and NEX-5 is 94 and 89 respectively.

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through specifications. The visual below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the VR-330 and NEX-5.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The VR-330 provides the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult. The younger VR-330 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography advice
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
72
has manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-330 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Street photography camera
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (158 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-330 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Sports photography camera
47
amazing zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
52
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography info
70
lighter than competition in class (158 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
59
decent MP (14 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VR-330
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5
42
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
68
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging advice
32
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (158g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic support
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Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-330 and Sony NEX-5
 Olympus VR-330Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus VR-330 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-02-08 2010-06-07
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-300mm (12.5x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 grams (0.35 pounds) 287 grams (0.63 pounds)
Dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 796
Other
Battery life - 330 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-42B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $220 $599