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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Announced February 2012
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
  • Released January 2012
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are built by Olympus. The image resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was launched very close to the VG-160 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up versus the VG-160 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Olympus VG-160

 SZ-31MR iHS VG-160 
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 VG-160 SZ-31MR iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus VG-160

 SZ-31MR iHS VG-160 
ReleasedFebruary 2012January 2012Same age
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS offers exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Olympus VG-160 has proportions 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-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS and the VG-160.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and VG-160 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor measurements only by checking out specs. The visual underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-31MR iHS and VG-160.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to show more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography highlights
Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography highlights
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography factors
Olympus VG-160 Street photography factors
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers touch to focus
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
56
lighter than competition (125 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography info
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography info
44
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
26
good MP (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (165 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Travel photography with Olympus VG-160
67
lighter than average in class (226g)
offers touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (200 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
65
lighter than competition (125 grams)
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
no Timelapse mode
bad battery power (165 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography information
Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography information
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
36
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery power (165 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Vlogging camera
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone jack
30
fairly wide (26mm)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competition (125 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus VG-160
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSOlympus VG-160
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Olympus VG-160
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-02-08 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TruePic V -
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m 4.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 125g (0.28 lb)
Physical 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 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 200 photographs 165 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B 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 1 1
Retail price $0 $90