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Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Olympus VR-330 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5R 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
  • Previous Model is Olympus VR-320
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5T
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Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5R, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VR-330 (14MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is relatively similar but the VR-330 (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The VR-330 was introduced 18 months earlier than the NEX-5R which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VR-330 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the VR-330 grades against the NEX-5R when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 VR-330 NEX-5R 

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

 NEX-5R VR-330 
LaunchedAugust 2012February 2011Fresher by 18 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 VR-330 NEX-5R 
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus VR-330 enjoys outside 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 Sony NEX-5R has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5R in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the VR-330 vs the NEX-5R.

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

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the VR-330 and NEX-5R is 94 and 89 respectively.

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

Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading specifications. The graphic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-330 and NEX-5R.

To sum up, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The VR-330 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony NEX-5R will offer extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The older VR-330 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography factors
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VR-330
Street photography with Sony NEX-5R
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (158 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
80
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
includes focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography advice
47
great zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
68
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-330 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than others in class (158 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
great reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
73
includes focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-330 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography features
42
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
75
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VR-330
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5R
32
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than others in class (158 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
31
screen is touchscreen
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
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Olympus VR-330 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-330 and Sony NEX-5R
 Olympus VR-330Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VR-330 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-02-08 2012-08-29
Body design 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-300mm (12.5x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.70 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 grams (0.35 pounds) 276 grams (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 910
Other
Battery life - 330 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $220 $750