Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus VG-160
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


96 Imaging
37 Features
26 Overall
32
Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
- 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
- Introduced August 2009
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
- 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
- Introduced January 2012

Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Overview
Following is a comprehensive review of the Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus VG-160, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Olympus. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and VG-160 (14MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and VG-160 (1/2.3") offer different sensor dimensions.

The SX120 IS was brought out 3 years before the VG-160 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summary of how the SX120 IS matches up against the VG-160 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and Olympus VG-160. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX120 IS Gallery and Olympus VG-160 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Olympus VG-160
SX120 IS | VG-160 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing |
Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Canon SX120 IS
VG-160 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2012 | ![]() | August 2009 | More modern by 29 months |
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Olympus VG-160
SX120 IS | VG-160 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX120 IS provides outer measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") having a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Olympus VG-160 has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).
Check the Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus VG-160 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the SX120 IS against the VG-160.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and VG-160 is 87 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing specs. The pic below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX120 IS and VG-160.
As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SX120 IS featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Olympus VG-160 will offer extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Olympus VG-160 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Olympus VG-160 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2009-08-19 | 2012-01-10 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 24.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
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 | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 26-130mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/2.8-6.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 7cm |
Crop factor | 6.3 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2500 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 4.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/500 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 285g (0.63 pounds) | 125g (0.28 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
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 | - | 165 photos |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | LI-70B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $249 | $90 |