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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax S1

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus VR-340 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax S1 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 S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Here is a comprehensive review of the Olympus VR-340 versus Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the VR-340 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VR-340 was revealed 11 months later than the S1 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the VR-340 grades vs the S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-340 over the Pentax S1

 VR-340 S1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012March 2011Fresher by 11 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Olympus VR-340

 S1 VR-340 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus VR-340 and Pentax S1

 VR-340 S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus VR-340 enjoys external measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus VR-340 versus Pentax S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the VR-340 compared to the S1.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the VR-340 and S1 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the VR-340 and S1.

Clearly, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Olympus VR-340 to provide extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher VR-340 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VR-340
Portrait photography with Pentax S1
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
35
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Street photography info
Pentax S1 Street photography info
63
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Sports photography advice
Pentax S1 Sports photography advice
44
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Travel photography factors
Pentax S1 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
64
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Landscape photography information
Pentax S1 Landscape photography information
43
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
42
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (125g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-340 and Pentax S1
 Olympus VR-340Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus VR-340 Pentax Optio S1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-01-10 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-240mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.80 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125g (0.28 lb) 157g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $130 $174