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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus VR-340 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-1 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus VR-340 versus Pentax K-1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the VR-340 (16MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the VR-340 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) provide different sensor sizes.

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The VR-340 was revealed 5 years prior to the K-1 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VR-340 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the VR-340 scores against the K-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-340 over the Pentax K-1

 VR-340 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Olympus VR-340

 K-1 VR-340 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016January 2012More recent by 49 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VR-340 and Pentax K-1

 VR-340 K-1 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus VR-340 enjoys outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VR-340 versus Pentax K-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the VR-340 and the K-1.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the VR-340 and K-1 is 96 and 55 respectively.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing specifications. The photograph below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the VR-340 and K-1.

To sum up, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The VR-340 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-1 will offer you greater detail because of its extra 20MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older VR-340 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
85
manual focus
megapixel count high (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
70
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
great high ISO (204,800)
heavier than others in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Sports photography features
Pentax K-1 Sports photography features
44
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (4.4 frames/s)
terrible battery life (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
no Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
53
weather sealing
megapixel count high (36MP)
terrible battery life (760 CIPA)
heavier than others in class (1,010g)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Landscape photography camera
43
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
81
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
terrible battery life (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Vlogging information
Pentax K-1 Vlogging information
33
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (1,010 grams)
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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-340 and Pentax K-1
 Olympus VR-340Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus VR-340 Pentax K-1
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-01-10 2016-02-17
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 3200 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-240mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.7 -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.80 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125g (0.28 lbs) 1010g (2.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life - 760 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots 1 2
Cost at release $130 $1,499