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Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus SH-50 front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Olympus SH-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 269g - 112 x 63 x 42mm
  • Introduced January 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
  • Launched January 2012
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Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Olympus SH-50 and Olympus VG-160, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are sold by Olympus. The image resolution of the SH-50 (16MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SH-50 was unveiled 13 months later than the VG-160 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SH-50 scores versus the VG-160 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Olympus VG-160

 SH-50 VG-160 
LaunchedJanuary 2013January 2012Fresher by 13 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Olympus SH-50

 VG-160 SH-50 

Common features in the Olympus SH-50 and Olympus VG-160

 SH-50 VG-160 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SH-50 has got physical dimensions of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") 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") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SH-50 and Olympus VG-160 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SH-50 compared to the VG-160.

Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SH-50 and VG-160 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through specifications. The visual below may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-50 and VG-160.

Plainly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Olympus SH-50 to resolve extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher SH-50 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Portrait photography camera
44
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
lighter than competitors (269 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SH-50
Sports photography with Olympus VG-160
48
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
26
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (165 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competitors (269g)
includes focus by touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
65
lighter than competitors (125g)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery (165 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Landscape photography information
Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography information
49
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
36
pretty wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery (165 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SH-50
Vlogging with Olympus VG-160
34
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (269g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
30
pretty wide (26mm)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
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Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-50 and Olympus VG-160
 Olympus SH-50Olympus VG-160
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SH-50 Olympus VG-160
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-01-08 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus range 5cm 7cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 4.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 269 gr (0.59 pounds) 125 gr (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 165 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $300 $90