Olympus VR-330 Review: A High-Quality Camera for Photography Enthusiasts

The Olympus VR-330 is a compact digital camera that offers high-quality images and impressive features for photography enthusiasts. With its powerful lens and user-friendly interface, this camera is ideal for capturing amazing photos and videos.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus VR-330 article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 08 2011

Announced

14 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight158g
MSRP$199USD

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Olympus E-330 thumbnail

Olympus E-330

Released Mar 18 2006 | 7MP resolution

Overview of the VR-330

Are you a photography enthusiast looking for a high-quality camera that offers impressive features and performance? Look no further than the Olympus VR-330. Boasting a 14-megapixel sensor and a 12.5x optical zoom lens, this camera is perfect for capturing sharp, vibrant images and videos. One of the standout features of the VR-330 is its user-friendly interface. With easy-to-use controls and a simple menu system, you can quickly and easily adjust settings to suit your shooting environment. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, this camera makes it easy to take great photos. Another great feature of the VR-330 is its high-definition video recording capabilities. Capture stunning 720p HD video with ease, and then easily share your footage with friends and family. Plus, with built-in image stabilization, your videos will look smooth and stable even if you're on the move. In conclusion, if you're looking for a high-quality digital camera that offers impressive features and performance, the Olympus VR-330 is definitely worth considering. With its powerful lens, intuitive interface, and advanced features, this camera is sure to exceed your expectations.

Olympus VR-330 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus VR-330 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-resolution sensor
Image stabilization
Long zoom range
Intelligent auto mode
Low price point

Cons

Limited manual control options
Slow autofocus
Poor low-light performance
Plastic construction
No built-in Wi-Fi

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus VR-330

Weather sealed
Dimensions101 x 58 x 29mm
Weight158g
Thickness29mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Olympus VR-330 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Olympus VR-330 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Olympus VR-330 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the VR-330 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus VR-330 has a 14MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 14 pixels. Olympus VR-330 has a native ISO range of 80 - 1600 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Feb 08 2011

Announced

80 - 1600

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4288 x 3216 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Olympus VR-330 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the VR-330 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC
Battery Life
Battery ModelLI-42B
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus VR-330 supports SD/SDHC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Olympus VR-330 uses the LI-42B model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Olympus VR-330 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Olympus VR-330 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Olympus VR-330 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Olympus VR-330?

The Olympus VR-330 features a CCD sensor

Is the Olympus VR-330 weather sealed?

No the VR-330 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus VR-330 announced?

The Olympus VR-330 was announced on Feb 08 2011

Does the Olympus VR-330 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the VR-330 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Olympus VR-330?

The VR-330 has a native ISO range of 80-1600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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