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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed May 2010
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Olympus VG-160
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Below is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus VG-160, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are sold by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is very comparable but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and VG-160 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1 was revealed 20 months before the VG-160 making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL1 matches up versus the VG-160 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus VG-160

 E-PL1 VG-160 
Manually focus More exact focus

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Olympus E-PL1

 VG-160 E-PL1 
LaunchedJanuary 2012May 2010More recent by 20 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus VG-160

 E-PL1 VG-160 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 features physical dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Olympus VG-160 has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus VG-160 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL1 and the VG-160.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and VG-160 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing technical specs. The visual here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and VG-160.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus VG-160 will produce greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older E-PL1 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
34
MP count good (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Street photography camera
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
56
lighter than competition (125 grams)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Sports photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
low battery life (290 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
27
MP count good (14MP)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (165 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
Travel photography with Olympus VG-160
52
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (290 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
66
lighter than competition (125g)
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (165 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography advice
Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography advice
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
low battery life (290 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
37
decently wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery life (165 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Vlogging camera
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
30
decently wide (26mm)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition (125 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus VG-160
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Olympus VG-160
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Olympus VG-160
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-05-17 2012-01-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus distance - 7cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lb) 125 grams (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 165 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $288 $90