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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FH5

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FH5 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
  • Launched January 2012
Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
Photography Glossary

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FH5 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic FH5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the FH5 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VG-160 was brought out 13 months later than the FH5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a simple summation of how the VG-160 grades against the FH5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Panasonic FH5

 VG-160 FH5 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2011Fresher by 13 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Olympus VG-160

 FH5 VG-160 

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic FH5

 VG-160 FH5 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-160 offers outside dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH5 has dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

See the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic FH5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the VG-160 versus the FH5.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FH5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the VG-160 and FH5 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FH5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by looking at specifications. The photograph below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-160 and FH5.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Panasonic FH5 to give extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern VG-160 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FH5 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography details
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography details
Panasonic FH5 Street photography details
56
lighter than competition in class (125g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch focus
lighter than competition (121 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Sports photography camera
26
good MP (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (165 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VG-160
Travel photography with Panasonic FH5
65
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery pack (165 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition (121 grams)
supports touch focus
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Landscape photography camera
36
relatively wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
low battery pack (165 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
38
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FH5 Vlogging advice
30
relatively wide (26mm)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (125g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
33
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than competition (121g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic FH5
 Olympus VG-160Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VG-160 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FS18
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-10 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range 7cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.80 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125g (0.28 pounds) 121g (0.27 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" 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 images 260 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $90 $169