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Nikon S31 vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Nikon S31 vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Introduced June 2013
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
  • Introduced January 2012
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Nikon S31 vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Nikon S31 and Olympus VG-160, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Olympus. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the S31 (10MP) and VG-160 (14MP) and the S31 (1/2.9") and VG-160 (1/2.3") come with different sensor size.

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The S31 was unveiled 18 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 we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the S31 grades versus the VG-160 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Olympus VG-160

 S31 VG-160 
IntroducedJune 2013January 2012More recent by 18 months

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Nikon S31

 VG-160 S31 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Olympus VG-160

 S31 VG-160 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon S31 vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S31 features exterior measurements of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Olympus VG-160 has dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Examine the Nikon S31 and Olympus VG-160 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the S31 against the VG-160.

Nikon S31 vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the S31 and VG-160 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by checking a spec sheet. The visual here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S31 and VG-160.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The S31 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Olympus VG-160 will resolve greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern S31 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S31 vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Portrait photography camera
19
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.9")
has no RAW format
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S31 Street photography info
Olympus VG-160 Street photography info
52
weather sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.9")
has no RAW format
56
lighter than average in class (125g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S31 Sports photography features
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography features
24
weather sealing
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.9")
has no phase detect autofocus
26
megapixel count good (14MP)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (165 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Travel photography camera
59
weather sealing
flash built-in
very good max aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
65
lighter than average in class (125g)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (165 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S31
Landscape photography with Olympus VG-160
30
very good max aperture (f)
weather sealing
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.9")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
36
decently wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery pack (165 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Vlogging camera
24
very good max aperture (f)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
30
decently wide (26mm)
features face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
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Nikon S31 vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Olympus VG-160
 Nikon Coolpix S31Olympus VG-160
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix S31 Olympus VG-160
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-06-21 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.9" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.96 x 3.72mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 18.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
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 29-87mm (3.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 7cm
Crop factor 7.3 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 4.80 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 185 gr (0.41 lb) 125 gr (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 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 260 images 165 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 LI-70B
Self timer - Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $90 $90