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Olympus SH-3 vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus SH-3 vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus SH-2
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
Photography Glossary

Olympus SH-3 vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Olympus SH-3 and Olympus VG-160, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both built by Olympus. The resolution of the SH-3 (16MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SH-3 was released 4 years after the VG-160 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the SH-3 grades versus the VG-160 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Olympus VG-160

 SH-3 VG-160 
ReleasedFebruary 2016January 2012More modern by 50 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Olympus SH-3

 VG-160 SH-3 

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Olympus VG-160

 SH-3 VG-160 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SH-3 enjoys physical dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Olympus VG-160 has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SH-3 and Olympus VG-160 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the SH-3 versus the VG-160.

Olympus SH-3 vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SH-3 and VG-160 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The image below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-3 and VG-160.

Plainly, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Olympus SH-3 to provide more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more modern SH-3 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SH-3 vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Portrait photography camera
44
good MP (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
manual focus not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Street photography camera
70
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
has focus by touch
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
56
lighter than competition (125g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Sports photography advice
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography advice
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
offers tracking focus
good battery life (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
26
megapixel count good (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (165 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-3
Travel photography with Olympus VG-160
74
good battery life (380 per charge)
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
has focus by touch
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
65
lighter than competition (125 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery (165 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Landscape photography factors
Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography factors
55
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (380 CIPA)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
36
decently wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery (165 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Vlogging info
Olympus VG-160 Vlogging info
35
decently wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
30
decently wide (26mm)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (125 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus SH-3 vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Olympus VG-160
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Olympus VG-160
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-3 Olympus VG-160
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2016-02-08 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.5 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271g (0.60 lb) 125g (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 380 photos 165 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $579 $90