Olympus E-510 vs Olympus VG-160: A Deep Dive Into Two Different Worldviews in Photography

When Olympus announced the E-510 in late 2007, enthusiasts were treated to an Advanced DSLR with some pretty ambitious specs for its time. Fast forward five years, and along came the VG-160 compact camera aimed squarely at easy, pocketable snaps - a far cry from the DSLR crowd. Comparing these two cameras feels almost like comparing apples and oranges, but it’s precisely that contrast which can shed light on what role each camera plays in a photographer’s arsenal.

Drawing on years of hands-on testing and dissecting hundreds of cameras, I’ll guide you through how these two Olympus models stack up in the real world - not just specs on a page. We’ll unpack sensors, ergonomics, autofocus, versatility, and a slew of other factors to help you decide whether the E-510 Advanced DSLR or the VG-160 compact is the right fit for your photographic pursuits.

Let’s dive in with a look at their physical foundations.

Size and Handling: Bulk vs. Pocket-Friendly

First impressions count - and the feeling of a camera in your hands often makes or breaks user experience. The Olympus E-510 is a mid-size SLR-style camera with dimensions of roughly 136 x 92 x 68 mm and a weight of 490g. By contrast, the VG-160 is a super-compact at 96 x 57 x 19 mm and only 125g.

Holding the E-510 feels substantive and solid, exactly what you want from an advanced DSLR. The grip is generous, making it comfortable during hours of shooting sessions, especially when paired with one of Olympus’s extensive Micro Four Thirds lenses. Controls are spread out and tactile, giving photographers fast access to settings without fumbling.

The VG-160, on the other hand, is about as discreet as it gets. Slim and light enough to vanish in your pocket, it’s perfect for street photography or casual travel snaps where you want to travel light and shoot quickly. But in terms of ergonomics - due to its tiny size - you miss out on dedicated physical buttons and an intuitive grip. Holding it steady for extended bursts can be a challenge compared to the DSLR.

Balance and build quality also reflect these very different design intentions. The E-510 feels robust but without exotic weather sealing or ruggedization, so careful handling is still advised. The VG-160’s plastic compact body isn’t designed for punishment but excels in portability.

Design Philosophy From Above: Layout and Usability

Let’s peek at the top controls and dials to understand interface philosophies.

The E-510 sports a traditional DSLR layout - mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation button, shutter release ergonomically placed near the grip. This arrangement streamlines switching between manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and program modes on the fly. For photographers who consciously manipulate exposure, this means less fumbling and more shooting.

The VG-160 skips the advanced modes. No manual exposure settings, no priority modes - it’s all auto, with some scene presets. The button layout is slimmed down to essentials: shutter, zoom toggle, playback, and menu access. For beginners or casual users, this simplicity is a boon. But for enthusiasts craving creative control and quick methodical shooting, it’s a limitation.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensors and Image Quality

Here is perhaps the most crucial difference between these two: image sensor size and quality.

The E-510 wields a Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm, considerably larger than the VG-160’s tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor (6.17x4.55 mm). This nearly eightfold difference in surface area alone governs many image quality attributes. Larger sensors collect more light, enabling better dynamic range, lower noise at high ISO, and improved color depth.

Confirming this, DXOmark’s measurements give the Olympus E-510 a color depth score of 21.2 bits and dynamic range of 10.0 EV, both respectable for its generation. Low light performance is usable up to ISO 800 and beyond, though noticeable noise creeps in at ISO 1600. The VG-160 has not been DXO-marked, but its tiny 1/2.3” CCD sensor is limited in dynamic range and struggles more in low light, typical of compact cameras.

Resolution-wise, the VG-160 edges the E-510 on pixel count, offering 14 megapixels compared to 10 on the DSLR. However, pixel count on small sensors means smaller individual photosites, often resulting in lower signal-to-noise ratio and higher noise in practice. Simply put, more pixels on a tiny sensor rarely translate to better image quality.

If you prioritize crisp image quality, precise color rendition, and cleaner high ISO shots, the E-510’s sensor is the clear winner. For casual use and daylight shooting, the VG-160’s higher megapixels offer sufficiently detailed files ideal for web usage and prints up to 8x10 inches.

Viewing and Composing: LCD and Viewfinder Experience

For framing your shot, how you view the scene matters, especially under different lighting conditions.

The E-510 sports a 2.5-inch fixed LCD screen with a resolution of 230k dots and an optical pentamirror viewfinder covering 95% of the frame. This isn’t a high-res screen by today’s standards, and Olympus’s absence of a live electronic viewfinder or touchscreen feels dated now - but at the time, it provided a solid, traditional SLR experience. The pentamirror viewfinder allows eye-level composing with zero lag and good visibility in bright light, crucial for manual focus precision.

The VG-160 ups the screen size to 3 inches but with an identical 230k dot resolution. It lacks any viewfinder at all, relying solely on the rear LCD. In bright daylight, composing can be frustrating due to reflections and low brightness, but the compact design leans more on casual snapshooters who might not mind.

For those in portraiture or landscape photography who rely on precise focusing and stable framing, the E-510’s viewfinder offers a significant advantage. Street photographers shooting quickly might be happy with the VG-160’s LCD-only setup if their shooting style is more spontaneous.

Shutter and Autofocus: Speed and Accuracy

Autofocus performance can make or break genres like sports, wildlife, or fast-paced street photography.

The E-510 uses a phase detection autofocus system with 3 focus points and continuous AF capability. While not cutting-edge even for its time, it enabled reliable focusing on subjects in motion with modest speed. Unfortunately, the lack of face detection and eye-tracking autofocus (nonexistent in 2007 cameras) means portrait precision can be challenging for beginners manually selecting focus points.

In contrast, the VG-160 opts for a fixed lens compact autofocus with contrast detection and face detection. It has multiple (though unspecified) AF areas for frame coverage. While face detection aids in casual portrait shooting, the slow contrast detection AF system lacks speed and trackability. Continuous AF or burst autofocus tracking modes are absent here.

This means for wildlife, sports, or any fast-moving subject, the E-510 will serve you better, thanks to phase detection’s speed and adaptability. For casual portraits and handheld travel shots, the VG-160’s autofocus, while slower, is usually adequate.

Lens Ecosystem: Versatility vs Convenience

The mount system tells a compelling story about photographic flexibility.

The E-510 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, compatible with roughly 45 lenses at the time, ranging from ultra-wide primes and fast portraits to long telephotos and macro lenses. This vast ecosystem means the photographer can tailor their kit to any discipline - landscapes, portraits, macro, wildlife, you name it. Adding Olympus’s in-body image stabilization compounds this versatility by allowing sharper shots at slower shutter speeds across lenses.

The VG-160, being a fixed-lens compact with a 26-130 mm (35mm equivalent) zoom, is everything included in one neat, if limited, package. While the F2.8 aperture at the wide end is respectable for low light, stopping down to F6.5 tele limits background separation and low-light usability. No lens swapping is possible, so creative control focuses on framing and digital zoom.

This section isn’t even close to fair to the VG-160 - it’s designed for ease, not versatility. Enthusiasts and pros will appreciate the E-510’s flexibility that supports growth alongside photography skills.

Shooting Speed and Buffer Depth

Burst shooting performance is vital for sports and wildlife photography.

The E-510 manages 3 frames per second continuously - not blazing fast, but steady enough for casual action sequences. Its buffer depth is limited; you won’t be shooting soccer games all day on continuous mode, but it’s enough for a volley of shots catching a bird in flight or a child playing.

The VG-160 doesn’t specify continuous shooting speed and almost certainly won’t match the DSLR’s responsiveness. Without continuous AF, it falls short for fast action. It’s a snap-and-go compact – much better suited for static or slow-moving subjects.

Weather Sealing and Build Durability

While neither camera sports professional-grade sealing or rugged build, the E-510’s DSLR body inherently feels more robust. The VG-160 is a lightweight plastic compact built for gentle handling - you wouldn’t want to drop it on uneven terrain.

If you intend to shoot landscapes or travel in some rough conditions, protect the VG-160 aggressively or lean toward more durable models. The E-510 still benefits from a sturdy DSLR chassis, though note Olympus never advertised it as weatherproof.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Battery life is a critical consideration for travel and extended shoots.

The E-510’s exact battery life isn’t widely published but with an interchangeable battery pack typical of DSLRs, expect superior endurance over compacts. It uses Compact Flash and xD Picture Card slots, which were common but less convenient today.

The VG-160 runs on a rechargeable Li-ion battery pack (LI-70B) giving roughly 165 shots per charge - fairly modest but usual for compacts. Storage is via SD/SDHC cards, a more accessible format offering quicker file transfers and widespread compatibility.

If you shoot events, trips, or sessions needing longer uptime, the DSLR’s battery system combined with multiple card formats provides an advantage.

Video and Multimedia Capabilities

Video specs often serve as an add-on in DSLRs of this era, yet a useful feature for hybrid shooters.

The E-510 lacks video recording altogether - Olympus’s offerings betraying the pre-video DSLR era. No 4K or HD video, no microphone input.

The VG-160, despite being a budget compact, records in HD 720p at 30 and 15 fps with Motion JPEG compression. This video quality won’t satisfy videographers but can capture moments at a higher resolution than many early compact cameras. No external mic input or stabilization to speak of means limited professional use, but casual vloggers or family shooters could use it.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Let me share insights based on my experience shooting with cameras from both classes.

• Portrait Photography: The E-510’s larger sensor and fast interchangeable lenses provide smooth skin tones and a pleasing bokeh, especially with Olympus’s prime lenses. Eye detection is absent, but manual AF area selection and focus peaking help. The VG-160’s small sensor and slow lens aperture limit bokeh capability, though face detection aids framing for casual portraits.

• Landscape Photography: The dynamic range advantage of the E-510’s Four Thirds sensor delivers richer detail in shadows and highlights, an asset for high contrast scenes. Combined with versatile lenses and in-body stabilization, it’s ideal for landscapes. The VG-160, while offering a longer zoom, suffers from a small sensor’s limited tonal range and detail.

• Wildlife Photography: Continuous 3 fps shooting and phase-detection AF on the E-510 edge out the VG-160’s lack of tracking and burst capabilities for action shots. Telephoto reach on lenses can be extended thanks to the 2.1x crop sensor multiplier. The VG-160’s zoom is modest and AF sluggish.

• Sports Photography: The E-510’s modest fps might feel limiting to professional sports shooters, but for amateur sports, it can keep pace reasonably. The VG-160 simply can’t target this genre.

• Street Photography: The VG-160 shines here with its discreet size and lightweight body, helping you stay unnoticed. Yet, limited controls and slower AF slow spontaneous shooting. The E-510 is bulkier but offers better image quality and manual control for deliberate compositions.

• Macro Photography: Thanks to interchangeable lenses and stabilization, the E-510 can shoot effective macros with precision focusing. The VG-160’s minimum macro focus distance is only 7 cm, decent for casual flower snaps but limited reach.

• Night/Astro Photography: The E-510 supports manual exposure modes, sensor stabilization, and higher ISO range, essential for night shots. The compact’s high noise and no manual modes limit astrophotography.

• Video Capabilities: The VG-160 provides simple 720p video, while the E-510 has none. Neither suits professional video production.

• Travel Photography: The VG-160’s light weight and size make it a perfect travel companion for casual shooting, saving space and weight. The E-510 offers more photo quality and creative control but at a cost of bulk and weight.

• Professional Work: The E-510’s RAW support, interchangeable lenses, and manual controls position it closer to professional workflows, albeit as an entry-level DSLR. The VG-160 targets consumer snapshots.

Putting Their Ratings into Perspective

Let’s synthesize overall and genre-specific performances:

Olympus E 510 front Olympus E 510 screen back Olympus VG 160 front Olympus VG 160 screen back

The image gallery above reflects the complex character of each camera’s output - the DSLR’s richer color palette and landscape detail versus the compact’s punchy but noisier JPEGs.

You can see the Olympus E-510’s stronger all-around scores, especially in image quality and versatility, while the VG-160 scores for portability and ease of use.

When measured by specific photography types, the E-510 leads in landscapes, portraits, sports, and macro, whereas the VG-160 holds its own only in street and casual travel shooting niches.

Final Thoughts: Which Olympus Fits You?

Choosing between the Olympus E-510 and VG-160 boils down to what you want from your photography tool.

• Go for the Olympus E-510 if:

  • You prioritize image quality and creative control over portability.
  • You want to explore advanced photography genres (portrait, landscape, macro).
  • You desire a camera that grows with you, providing options to upgrade lenses.
  • You shoot in varied lighting conditions and need better high ISO performance.
  • You’re comfortable balancing a mid-sized DSLR in travel or everyday use.

• Opt for the Olympus VG-160 if:

  • You want an ultra-compact, pocketable camera for casual snapshots.
  • You need a simple, ready-to-use camera with minimal learning curve.
  • Video in 720p is a nice-to-have bonus.
  • You primarily shoot outdoors in daylight or street scenarios.
  • Budget constraints narrow your choices to entry-level compacts.

Wrapping Up: Experience Guides You

I’ve personally tested numerous Olympus cameras and spent many hours in field shoots with both DSLRs like the E-510 and compacts similar to the VG-160. What’s clear is that Olympus has carved out very different roles for these cameras. Neither is ‘better’ without context - a lightweight compact and an advanced DSLR serve fundamentally different user needs.

Understanding sensor size’s impact on image quality, autofocus system nuances, physical ergonomics, and lens options is critical. More than specs, spend time handling cameras in person, evaluating your priorities for control vs portability.

Hopefully, this detailed comparison cuts through marketing noise and helps you choose a camera that you’ll be excited to shoot with - because at the end of the day, the best camera is the one you know how to use well and enjoy carrying around.

Happy shooting!