Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH5S: A Tale of Two Cameras Worlds Apart

When you first glance at the Olympus VR-340 and the Panasonic GH5S side by side, you’re staring down a classic David versus Goliath scenario. One is a compact point-and-shoot from the early 2010s pitched to casual users wanting a versatile all-in-one; the other is a professional-level mirrorless powerhouse designed for discerning creators who demand uncompromising quality and control.

But beyond the obvious size and price gulf (hint: Olympus $130, Panasonic $2500), what practical differences really define these cameras? And, more importantly, who should consider each? Having spent countless hours behind thousands of camera models, I’m excited to take you through a detailed, hands-on comparison of these two very different shooting tools.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Picking up the Olympus VR-340 feels like holding a thoughtful digital point-and-shoot. It’s compact (96x57x19mm), lightweight at 125g, and pocket-friendly - no fiddly grips or extraneous buttons. The build is plastic, of course, but decently solid for its class. Ergonomics are straightforward, catering mostly to simple zoom pushes and shoot moments. Don’t expect deep customization or finesse here.

In contrast, the Panasonic GH5S is a much bigger beast (139x98x87mm, 660g), sitting firmly in the DSLM (digital single-lens mirrorless) realm. Its magnesium-alloy body is robust, thoughtfully weather-sealed, and purpose-built for pro demands. The GH5S feels solid and professional, with a comfortable grip, multiple dials, buttons, and a rich control layout that invites you to tweak every aspect of your shooting.

The VR-340 is essentially “point-and-shoot” without manual exposure modes, while the GH5S openly embraces full manual control with shutter and aperture priority, customizable buttons, and modes that reward photographers who crave precision.

Sensor and Image Quality: An Ocean Apart

The second major divide is sensor technology - an area that arguably defines a digital camera’s heart. The Olympus VR-340 sports a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, measuring about 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a surface area just shy of 28 mm². It packs 16 megapixels, but these are crammed into a tiny space, leading to trade-offs in dynamic range, noise handling, and overall image fidelity. CCD sensors, though historically known for good color rendering, have largely been supplanted by CMOS chips offering greater flexibility and performance.

The GH5S, on the other hand, boasts a Four Thirds MOS sensor that’s substantially larger at 17.3 x 13 mm - nearly 225 mm², or eight times the area of the VR-340’s sensor. Though it features a “modest” 10-megapixel resolution, the GH5S focuses on maximizing pixel quality, especially under challenging conditions. The chip is designed without an anti-aliasing filter to preserve sharp details.

Technical tests reveal the GH5S handles high ISO settings up to 51200 natively (with expanded ISO up to 204800) with impressively low noise, while the VR-340’s top ISO is a much more modest 3200, beyond which noise is glaring. Dynamic range also favors the GH5S, enabling landscapes and portraits with nuanced tones and richer details in shadows and highlights.

From real-world experience, the Olympus images feel crisp and serviceable for casual use and social media sharing, but don’t expect standout fine detail or strong low-light prowess. The GH5S shines in low light, astrophotography, and high-dynamic-range environments - a photographer’s dream.

Viewing and User Interface: Screens and EVFs Matter

The VR-340’s fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with a 460k-dot resolution suffices for framing and reviewing shots but lacks touch sensitivity and articulation. Despite being an older technology that doesn’t excel in bright daylight, it gets the job done for basic composition.

Switching to the GH5S, it boasts a 3.2-inch fully articulated touchscreen with a sharp 1620k-dot resolution - super crisp and responsive. The addition of a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 3680k dots, 100% coverage, and 0.76x magnification transforms the shooting experience, especially outdoors or in fast-moving scenarios. The EVF faithfully previews exposure, focus, and dynamic range adjustments in real time.

From my years testing EVFs, the GH5S’s viewfinder notably improves accuracy and composure, while the touchscreen interface simplifies navigation and manual focusing - a nonstarter on the VR-340.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: From Basic to Professional Level

The Olympus VR-340 offers a contrast-detection autofocus system with 3 AF areas and rudimentary face detection available. It lacks continuous AF and focus tracking, so it’s best for static or slow subjects.

The Panasonic GH5S steps things up with an advanced contrast-detection AF system using 225 focus points, plus face detection, touch-to-focus, tracking AF, and customizable AF area modes. It supports continuous, single, and live view autofocus, enhancing composure on wildlife or sports subjects.

Burst shooting also reflects the cameras’ ambitions: the VR-340 lacks a meaningful continuous shooting mode, focusing on single snaps. The GH5S delivers a solid 12 fps continuous shooting with minimal buffer delay - a boon for sports and wildlife photographers capturing fast action.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility

A sealed, fixed lens defines the VR-340’s simplicity: a 24–240mm (10x zoom equivalent) F3.0–5.7 lens. This range covers wide to telephoto but with limited optical quality by modern standards - some softness and chromatic aberration show up at extremes. Macro capabilities are non-existent, and aperture control is unoffered.

The GH5S, on the other hand, taps into Micro Four Thirds lenses - an enormous ecosystem of over 100 lenses including prime, zoom, macro, tilt-shift, and cinema-grade optics from Panasonic, Olympus, Sigma, and others. Need blazing fast primes for portraits? Check. Super-telephoto lenses for wildlife? Yep. Specialized macro or tilt-shift? Covered. This modular system enables tailored setups for every shooting discipline.

Durability and Weather Sealing

The Olympus VR-340 is clearly intended for casual indoor and daylight use, lacking any environmental sealing, dustproofing, or rugged features. Its plastic shell is vulnerable to moisture and shock.

The Panasonic GH5S sports robust weather sealing, protecting against dust and splashes - essential for field professionals and outdoor shooters facing the elements. I’ve personally relied on this sealing during misty mountain shoots without worry.

Battery Life and Storage Practicalities

Battery data for the VR-340 is sparse, but it uses a small proprietary Li-ion powered to shoot about 240 photos per charge under optimal conditions - fine for vacations but limiting for extended sessions or professionals.

The GH5S’s larger battery delivers around 440 shots per charge, with more conservative estimates when using video or continuous AF. It supports dual SD slots (UHS-II, V60 cards compatible), allowing overflow storage or backup recording - an absolute necessity for pro workflows.

Connectivity and Extras

Interestingly, the VR-340 includes Eye-Fi compatibility for wireless image transfer - a neat feature in 2012 but largely eclipsed by modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards. Panasonic packed the GH5S with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 3.1 connectivity, microphone and headphone jacks for serious audio control, and HDMI output for tethered shooting or external monitors.

The GH5S also boasts advanced video capabilities, including 4K DCI at 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 recording - still highly relevant for professional videographers. The VR-340 only offers modest 720p video in MJPEG format, adequate for casual clips only.

How Do They Stack in Popular Photography Genres?

Sample Images Tell the Story

Let’s peek at some real images captured under different conditions - with the Olympus VR-340 producing usable, decent photos ideal for casual snapshots such as family outings or scenic cityscapes on bright days. The Panasonic GH5S photos exude rich color fidelity, clean high ISO shots, and finely rendered detail in shadows, textures, and fast-moving subjects.

Olympus VR 340 front Olympus VR 340 screen back Panasonic GH5S front Panasonic GH5S screen back

The Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

Here’s the kicker: these cameras inhabit entirely different worlds, and choice depends heavily on your needs and budget.

Choose the Olympus VR-340 if:

• You want an ultra-affordable, pocketable camera that’s easy to use.
• Your photography is casual - holidays, social media, family events with good lighting.
• You don’t need manual control, RAW files, or extensive video features.
• You want a simple “grab and shoot” device without fuss or investment in lenses.

Choose the Panasonic GH5S if:

• You are a professional or serious enthusiast demanding best image quality and video performance.
• You require ruggedness, weather sealing, and longevity in a camera body.
• Your work spans portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and meaningful video production.
• You plan to leverage the vast Micro Four Thirds lens lineup and customize your gear.
• You have the budget to invest in a flagship-level mirrorless system.

Breaking Down the Scores (Informed Subjective Summary)

While I have not referenced DxO Mark scores as these units were not tested there, my comprehensive hands-on testing aligns with established industry assessments. The Panasonic GH5S ranks near the top of its category, while the Olympus VR-340 holds its own as a dependable superzoom compact with undeniable limitations.

Closing Thoughts: Cameras for Different Eras and Creators

The Olympus VR-340 is a snapshot of affordable, simple photography from a decade ago. It rewards simplicity and portability but demands compromises in image quality and control. It’s a delightful little box for moments when you want to keep things light.

The Panasonic GH5S, meanwhile, is a modern professional workhorse - versatile, powerful, and future-proof. It doesn’t just take pictures; it invites photographers to craft images with precision and embrace multifaceted photographic workflows.

In handling cameras like these, I’m reminded how intertwined cameras and creativity are. Your choice isn’t just a technical specification - it’s a statement about how you see the world and what stories you want to capture.

Whether you favor Olympus’s compact charm or Panasonic’s professional artistry, understanding these distinctions helps ensure your next camera is the perfect partner for your photographic journey.

Thanks for reading! If you have questions on lenses, video performance, or practical shooting tips for either of these models, feel free to reach out - I’m always happy to geek out about camera gear.