Olympus VR-340 vs Sony W550
96 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
37


96 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Olympus VR-340 vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed January 2012
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
- 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Revealed July 2011

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony W550 Overview
In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Olympus VR-340 and Sony W550, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the VR-340 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is relatively similar and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The VR-340 was introduced 6 months after the W550 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VR-340 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the VR-340 matches up vs the W550 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony W550 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus VR-340 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The whole galleries are available at Olympus VR-340 Gallery and Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VR-340 over the Sony W550
VR-340 | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Olympus VR-340
W550 | VR-340 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus VR-340 and Sony W550
VR-340 | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2012 | ![]() | July 2011 | Similar generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Olympus VR-340 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus VR-340 provides physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony W550 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus VR-340 and Sony W550 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the VR-340 against the W550.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VR-340 and W550 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing technical specs. The image here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the VR-340 and W550.
As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Olympus VR-340 to deliver extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots far more aggressively.

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony W550 Specifications
Olympus VR-340 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus VR-340 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Ultracompact |
Revealed | 2012-01-10 | 2011-07-24 |
Physical type | Compact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 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 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-240mm (10.0x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.0-5.7 | f/2.7-5.7 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | Clear Photo LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 2s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.80 m | 3.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 125g (0.28 lb) | 110g (0.24 lb) |
Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
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 model | LI-50B | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | - |
Launch price | $130 | $119 |