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Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH2

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus VR-340 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH2 Key Specs

Olympus VR-340
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.0-5.7) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Launched March 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic GH1
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GH3
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Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH2 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Olympus VR-340 and Panasonic GH2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the VR-340 (16MP) and the GH2 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the VR-340 (1/2.3") and GH2 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The VR-340 was announced 10 months later than the GH2 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VR-340 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the VR-340 matches up versus the GH2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-340 over the Panasonic GH2

 VR-340 GH2 
LaunchedJanuary 2012March 2011Fresher by 10 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Olympus VR-340

 GH2 VR-340 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus VR-340 and Panasonic GH2

 VR-340 GH2 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH2 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus VR-340 provides exterior measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic GH2 has measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") along with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus VR-340 and Panasonic GH2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the VR-340 against the GH2.

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VR-340 and GH2 is 96 and 70 respectively.

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the VR-340 and GH2.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The VR-340 provides the tinier sensor which will make getting bokeh more difficult. The newer VR-340 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH2 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VR-340
Portrait photography with Panasonic GH2
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
70
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VR-340
Street photography with Panasonic GH2
63
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
68
screen articulates fully
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GH2 as a Sports photography camera
44
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
46
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (330 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH2 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition (125g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
62
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (330 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GH2 Landscape photography highlights
43
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
60
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (330 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VR-340
Vlogging with Panasonic GH2
33
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (125g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
71
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic port
no image stabilization
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Olympus VR-340 vs Panasonic GH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-340 and Panasonic GH2
 Olympus VR-340Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VR-340 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-01-10 2011-03-23
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 24-240mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.7 -
Available lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 15.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 gr (0.28 pounds) 442 gr (0.97 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 60
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 655
Other
Battery life - 330 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $130 $1,000