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Olympus VR-340 vs Sony WX500

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus VR-340 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony WX500 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 WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Old Model is Sony WX350
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Olympus VR-340 vs Sony WX500 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus VR-340 versus Sony WX500, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VR-340 (16MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is relatively close and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The VR-340 was unveiled 4 years prior to the WX500 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the VR-340 grades vs the WX500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-340 over the Sony WX500

 VR-340 WX500 

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Olympus VR-340

 WX500 VR-340 
IntroducedApril 2015January 2012More modern by 39 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VR-340 and Sony WX500

 VR-340 WX500 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus VR-340 provides external 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 WX500 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

See the Olympus VR-340 versus Sony WX500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the VR-340 compared to the WX500.

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the VR-340 and WX500 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the VR-340 and WX500.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony WX500 to provide you with extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged VR-340 will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-340 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VR-340
Portrait photography with Sony WX500
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
39
MP count good (18 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Street photography info
Sony WX500 Street photography info
63
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (125 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
70
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (236g)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Sports photography info
Sony WX500 Sports photography info
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
57
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (360 shots)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than others (125g)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
better than average battery pack (360 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (236 grams)
MP count good (18MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Landscape photography details
Sony WX500 Landscape photography details
43
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
49
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (360 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Vlogging factors
Sony WX500 Vlogging factors
33
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than others (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
35
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (236 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic support
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Olympus VR-340 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-340 and Sony WX500
 Olympus VR-340Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus VR-340 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-01-10 2015-04-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-240mm (10.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.7 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125g (0.28 pounds) 236g (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 360 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $130 $348