Olympus VR-330 vs Sony A99

Here is a extended review of the Olympus VR-330 and Sony A99, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the VR-330 (14MP) and A99 (24MP) and the VR-330 (1/2.3") and A99 (Full frame) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The VR-330 was announced 22 months earlier than the A99 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VR-330 being a Compact camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a short highlight of how the VR-330 scores against the A99 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus VR-330 and Sony SLT-A99. The whole galleries are available at Olympus VR-330 Gallery and Sony A99 Gallery.

If you're aiming to carry your camera, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus VR-330 offers exterior measurements of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has proportions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Check the Olympus VR-330 and Sony A99 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the VR-330 compared to the A99.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VR-330 and A99 is 94 and 57 respectively.

Typically, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing purely by looking at specs. The photograph here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the VR-330 and A99.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The VR-330 using its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Sony A99 will resolve greater detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older VR-330 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.