Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


96 Imaging
37 Features
26 Overall
32
Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX270 HS and Olympus VG-160. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX270 HS Gallery and Olympus VG-160 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Olympus VG-160
SX270 HS | VG-160 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | March 2013 | ![]() | January 2012 | More recent by 15 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS | Olympus 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 |