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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed January 2012
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Announced February 2019
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic S1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the VG-160 (14MP) and S1 (24MP) and the VG-160 (1/2.3") and S1 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor size.

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The VG-160 was unveiled 8 years before the S1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the VG-160 grades versus the S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Panasonic S1

 VG-160 S1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Olympus VG-160

 S1 VG-160 
AnnouncedFebruary 2019January 2012More recent by 85 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k230kCrisper display (+1870k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic S1

 VG-160 S1 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus VG-160 enjoys outer measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic S1 has sizing of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") accompanied by a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).

See the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the VG-160 vs the S1.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and S1 is 96 and 54 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by researching specifications. The graphic underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the VG-160 and S1.

To sum up, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The VG-160 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Panasonic S1 will provide you with extra detail having an extra 10MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The older VG-160 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
85
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VG-160
Street photography with Panasonic S1
56
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
70
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
weather proof
great high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition (1,021g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography details
Panasonic S1 Sports photography details
26
MP count good (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (165 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
not so great battery power (380 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic S1 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (165 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
weather proof
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
good resolution (24 megapixels)
not so great battery power (380 shots)
more heavy than competition (1,021 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography factors
36
fairly wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery pack (165 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
81
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
not so great battery power (380 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VG-160
Vlogging with Panasonic S1
30
fairly wide (26mm)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
32
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone support
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition (1,021 grams)
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic S1
 Olympus VG-160Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VG-160 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Type Small Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-01-10 2019-02-01
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 225
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Leica L
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 7cm -
Number of lenses - 30
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 2,100k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.80 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/320 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 grams (0.28 lb) 1021 grams (2.25 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 95
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 3333
Other
Battery life 165 photos 380 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC -
Card slots One Dual
Cost at launch $90 $2,498