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Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Introduced March 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX260 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX280 HS
Olympus VG-160
(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
  • Revealed January 2012
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Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SX270 HS (12MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is pretty similar and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX270 HS was unveiled 15 months later than the VG-160 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX270 HS matches up versus the VG-160 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Olympus VG-160

 SX270 HS VG-160 
RevealedMarch 2013January 2012More recent by 15 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Canon SX270 HS

 VG-160 SX270 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX270 HS and Olympus VG-160

 SX270 HS VG-160 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX270 HS provides outside dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Olympus VG-160 has dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the SX270 HS versus the VG-160.

Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX270 HS and VG-160 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to see the gap between sensor measurements merely by going over technical specs. The photograph here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX270 HS and VG-160.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Olympus VG-160 to offer extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher SX270 HS is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX270 HS
Portrait photography with Olympus VG-160
34
you can focus manually
provides face detect focus
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Street photography features
Olympus VG-160 Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (233 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
lighter than competitors (125g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Sports photography details
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography details
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (210 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
26
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery (165 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Travel photography information
Olympus VG-160 Travel photography information
61
lighter than average (233g)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (210 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
lighter than competitors (125g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
no Timelapse recording
low battery (165 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Landscape photography camera
41
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery pack (210 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
36
pretty wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery (165 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX270 HS
Vlogging with Olympus VG-160
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (233 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic port
30
pretty wide (26mm)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
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Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX270 HS and Olympus VG-160
 Canon PowerShot SX270 HSOlympus VG-160
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX270 HS Olympus VG-160
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-03-21 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 4.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 233 grams (0.51 pounds) 125 grams (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 210 shots 165 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $284 $90