Olympus VR-340 First Impressions Review

Conclusion

Like most of the fixed-lens Olympus cameras introduced at CES 2012, the VR-340 seems to be a minor update at best. Did the VR-320 really need a replacement? Only the market can decide. With slightly improved features and a lower price point, we can hardly complain, it's just not the most exciting news in the industry.

Shooting with the VR-340 feels...okay. Not great, but passable. The interface can be simple for those who want it that way, but the sluggish operation will slow down experienced users. Physical handling is the same way: the new rubber is decent, but there's really not much that can be done about the ultracompact form factor.

Without taking this model into the lab and getting a scientific sense of image quality, the VR-340 is pretty "meh." There's nothing very compelling about the product at this point, other than the occupation of a semi-necessary spot in the Olympus lineup.

Our outlook for this camera is neither good nor bad. With features as plain as they are, and no information about image quality, it's just too early to tell. And with so many similar models out there in this highly competitive segment, we think the success of the VR-340 could go either way.