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Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Revealed June 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
  • Announced January 2012
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was revealed 18 months after the VG-160 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the SZ-15 scores vs the VG-160 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Olympus VG-160

 SZ-15 VG-160 
AnnouncedJune 2013January 2012More modern by 18 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Olympus SZ-15

 VG-160 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Olympus VG-160

 SZ-15 VG-160 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-15 has got outer measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Olympus VG-160 has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-15 vs the VG-160.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and VG-160 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The pic underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-15 and VG-160.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus SZ-15 to produce greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger SZ-15 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Portrait photography camera
44
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (250 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
56
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography details
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography details
53
incredible zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
26
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (165 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography info
Olympus VG-160 Travel photography info
68
lighter than others (250 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (23mm)
very long reach (483mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than average in class (125g)
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery (165 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography factors
Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography factors
49
has manual focus
pretty wide (23mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
36
really wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3")
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery (165 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging highlights
Olympus VG-160 Vlogging highlights
34
pretty wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (250 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone jack
30
really wide (26mm)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (125g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Olympus VG-160
 Olympus SZ-15Olympus VG-160
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-15 Olympus VG-160
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-06-21 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
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 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus range 5cm 7cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 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 AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lbs) 125 grams (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 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 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $200 $90