Clicky

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Launched September 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL2
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
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Here is a extended overview of the Olympus E-PL3 versus Olympus VG-160, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and VG-160 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The E-PL3 was manufactured 3 months before the VG-160 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-PL3 matches up against the VG-160 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus VG-160

 E-PL3 VG-160 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Olympus E-PL3

 VG-160 E-PL3 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus VG-160

 E-PL3 VG-160 
LaunchedSeptember 2011January 2012Same generation
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL3 enjoys physical dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Olympus VG-160 has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL3 versus Olympus VG-160 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the VG-160.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and VG-160 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The visual underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and VG-160.

As you can tell, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 featuring a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Olympus VG-160 will produce greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL3
Portrait photography with Olympus VG-160
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
34
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography details
Olympus VG-160 Street photography details
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
56
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography features
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography features
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
bad battery (300 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
27
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (165 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Olympus VG-160 Travel photography advice
44
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery (300 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
66
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (165 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography info
Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography info
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery (300 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
37
pretty wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery pack (165 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging details
Olympus VG-160 Vlogging details
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no external mic jack
30
pretty wide (26mm)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus VG-160
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Olympus VG-160
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Olympus VG-160
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-09-20 2012-01-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 35 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus distance - 7cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313g (0.69 lbs) 125g (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos 165 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $399 $90