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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Announced January 2012
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 SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Olympus. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was brought out at a similar time to the VG-160 which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SZ-12 grades against the VG-160 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus VG-160

 SZ-12 VG-160 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Olympus SZ-12

 VG-160 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus VG-160

 SZ-12 VG-160 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2012Same age
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 provides exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Olympus VG-160 has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-12 against the VG-160.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and VG-160 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The picture underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and VG-160.

To sum up, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures however you should really factor the age of the cameras into account.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography details
Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography details
34
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography advice
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography advice
41
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
27
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (165 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography highlights
Olympus VG-160 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
66
lighter than competition in class (125g)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low battery pack (165 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Olympus VG-160
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
37
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery pack (165 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Olympus VG-160
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
30
quite wide (26mm)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus VG-160
 Olympus SZ-12Olympus VG-160
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Olympus VG-160
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-10 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing range - 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 125 grams (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos 165 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $350 $90