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Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus VR-340 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Olympus VR-340
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.0-5.7) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5N
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Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the VR-340 (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is relatively similar but the VR-340 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The VR-340 was brought out 20 months after the NEX-5 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VR-340 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the VR-340 scores against the NEX-5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus VR-340 over the Sony NEX-5

 VR-340 NEX-5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012June 2010Newer by 20 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Olympus VR-340

 NEX-5 VR-340 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VR-340 and Sony NEX-5

 VR-340 NEX-5 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus VR-340 enjoys physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the VR-340 against the NEX-5.

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the VR-340 and NEX-5 is 96 and 89 respectively.

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading specifications. The pic below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-340 and NEX-5.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The VR-340 featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Olympus VR-340 will offer you extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The fresher VR-340 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VR-340
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Street photography information
Sony NEX-5 Street photography information
63
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography highlights
44
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
52
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VR-340
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5
69
lighter than others in class (125g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
59
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VR-340
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5
43
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
68
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging details
33
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
lighter than others in class (125g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
28
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-340 and Sony NEX-5
 Olympus VR-340Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus VR-340 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-01-10 2010-06-07
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-240mm (10.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.7 -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed - 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 grams (0.28 pounds) 287 grams (0.63 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 796
Other
Battery life - 330 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $130 $599