Olympus VR-340 vs Sony NEX-5R

Following is a extended analysis of the Olympus VR-340 versus Sony NEX-5R, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the VR-340 (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is pretty well matched but the VR-340 (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The VR-340 was unveiled 7 months before the NEX-5R so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus VR-340 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the VR-340 scores against the NEX-5R in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus VR-340 and Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The full galleries are provided at Olympus VR-340 Gallery and Sony NEX-5R Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus VR-340 comes with external 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-5R has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

See the Olympus VR-340 versus Sony NEX-5R 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 have attached at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the VR-340 against the NEX-5R.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VR-340 and NEX-5R is 96 and 89 respectively.

Normally, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by checking technical specs. The picture here should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the VR-340 and NEX-5R.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have got the exact same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The VR-340 offers the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF more challenging. The more aged VR-340 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.