Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-3

Following is a detailed assessment of the Olympus VR-340 versus Sony NEX-3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the VR-340 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very similar but the VR-340 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The VR-340 was released 20 months after the NEX-3 making them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus VR-340 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the VR-340 matches up against the NEX-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus VR-340 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are available at Olympus VR-340 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VR-340 enjoys outer measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus VR-340 versus Sony NEX-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the VR-340 versus the NEX-3.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VR-340 and NEX-3 is 96 and 89 respectively.

More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by reading specifications. The picture below might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the VR-340 and NEX-3.

To sum up, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The VR-340 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Olympus VR-340 will offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer VR-340 provides a benefit in sensor technology.