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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released May 2013
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
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
  • Released January 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Below is a thorough assessment of the Olympus E-PM2 versus Olympus VG-160, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and VG-160 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM2 was released 17 months later than the VG-160 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PM2 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-PM2 over the Olympus VG-160

 E-PM2 VG-160 
ReleasedMay 2013January 2012More recent by 17 months
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Olympus E-PM2

 VG-160 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus VG-160

 E-PM2 VG-160 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM2 provides outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Olympus VG-160 has specifications of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PM2 versus Olympus VG-160 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view scale comparison of the E-PM2 and the VG-160.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and VG-160 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at specs. The graphic below should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and VG-160.

All in all, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PM2 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Olympus E-PM2 will give greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer E-PM2 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography information
Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography information
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
34
good resolution (14MP)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography highlights
Olympus VG-160 Street photography highlights
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
56
lighter than competition in class (125g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography info
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography info
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
27
good resolution (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery (165 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography advice
Olympus VG-160 Travel photography advice
66
boasts focus by touch
resolution is good (16MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
66
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery (165 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM2
Landscape photography with Olympus VG-160
74
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have Time Lapse function
37
fairly wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3")
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery (165 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging advice
Olympus VG-160 Vlogging advice
36
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic socket
30
fairly wide (26mm)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus VG-160
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Olympus VG-160
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus VG-160
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-05-21 2012-01-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 25600 1600
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 7cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269g (0.59 lbs) 125g (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" 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 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photos 165 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $448 $90