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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Olympus TG-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 111 x 67 x 29mm
  • Announced 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
  • Launched January 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Olympus VG-160, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are sold by Olympus. The resolution of the TG-2 iHS (12MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-2 iHS was released 18 months later than the VG-160 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the TG-2 iHS matches up versus the VG-160 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Olympus VG-160

 TG-2 iHS VG-160 
LaunchedJune 2013January 2012Fresher by 18 months
Screen resolution610k230kCrisper screen (+380k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS

 VG-160 TG-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Olympus VG-160

 TG-2 iHS VG-160 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-2 iHS provides external measurements of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Olympus VG-160 has proportions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Olympus VG-160 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the TG-2 iHS against the VG-160.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-2 iHS and VG-160 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-2 iHS and VG-160.

As you have seen, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Olympus VG-160 to show extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The younger TG-2 iHS will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Portrait photography camera
27
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
33
decent MP (14MP)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Street photography highlights
Olympus VG-160 Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
lighter than others in class (125g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Sports photography details
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography details
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery (350 per charge)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
26
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (165 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Travel photography camera
68
better than average battery (350 shots)
weather proof
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
65
lighter than others in class (125g)
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery pack (165 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Landscape photography advice
Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography advice
46
relatively wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
better than average battery (350 per charge)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
36
pretty wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery pack (165 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Vlogging factors
Olympus VG-160 Vlogging factors
36
relatively wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing mic support
30
pretty wide (26mm)
has face detection focusing
lighter than others in class (125g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-2 iHS and Olympus VG-160
 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHSOlympus VG-160
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS Olympus VG-160
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-06-28 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 7cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 610 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech OLED TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.80 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 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 None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 grams (0.51 lb) 125 grams (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") 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 350 photos 165 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-90B LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media - SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $380 $90