Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5: A Hands-On Compact Camera Showdown

If you’re venturing into the realm of compact cameras circa early 2010s, the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 offer an intriguing pair to dissect. Both deliver pocket-sized convenience, yet cater to subtly different user tastes and priorities. Having logged countless hours with these little shooters, including field tests across landscapes, portraits, and travel outings, I’m here to unravel the real-world differences and help you decide which compact companion deserves a spot in your bag. Spoiler: It’s not as straightforward as pixel counts or price tags might suggest.

Let’s buckle in and see what makes these cameras tick (and which might slip through your fingers).

A Tale of Two Compacts: First Impressions and Physicality

On paper, the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic FP5 both fall firmly under “small sensor compact” cameras, with 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors and 14-megapixels apiece. But size, shape, and user feel often matter more than sensor specs in this category.

Take a look at their physical dimensions and weights:

• Olympus VG-160: 96 x 57 x 19 mm, 125g
• Panasonic FP5: 101 x 59 x 18 mm, 141g

They’re neck and neck in size, with the VG-160 slightly shorter and thinner, though a touch lighter too. However, in real use, that few grams and millimeters can translate into noticeable ergonomics differences.

The VG-160 feels surprisingly comfortable despite its compactness - a bit snug in the hand for my larger mitts but manageable, with buttons spaced nicely enough for quick access. The FP5, while just a smidge bigger, offers a slightly more solid grip, no doubt aided by Panasonic’s subtle contouring. Neither camera offers any weather sealing, so if you’re planning outdoor adventures where rain or dust loom, neither will keep you cozy.

Control Layout and Interface: Handling the Camera Experience

How much do camera controls matter on a little point-and-shoot, you might ask? More than you’d think. When shooting quickly - street snaps or holiday candids - the feel and flow of dials, buttons, and menus can make or break your shoot.

Peering at the top view side by side:

Olympus keeps it minimal, with a standard shutter and zoom toggle, but you’ll need to dive into menus for exposure adjustments since it lacks PASM modes entirely. Not a bad thing for automated shooters, but pros or enthusiasts will find it restrictive.

Panasonic steps it up, including a touch screen TFT LCD with basic touch autofocus, a boost when hunting focus in tricky compositions. It also offers continuous autofocus tracking, while Olympus sticks to more basic contrast-detection AF without tracking. The FP5’s Venus Engine IV processor is a step ahead in responsiveness too, generally yielding quicker startup and reduced shutter lag.

Peering Into the Sensor: Image Quality and Sensor Technologies

Measuring image quality in this class is always a challenge - tiny sensors limit dynamic range and noise control. Both use 1/2.3" CCD sensors of similar size (~28 mm² vs 27.7 mm²), but subtle differences emerge.

Neither camera supports RAW - a big limitation for anyone wanting fine-tuned post-processing - making efficient in-camera JPEG processing paramount. The FP5’s newer Venus Engine IV processor delivers slightly improved noise reduction, allowing an extended ISO ceiling up to 6400 (albeit with noise creeping in at higher values). Olympus caps at ISO 1600, preferring cleaner output with less digital grit.

Color depth and dynamic range aren’t officially tested in depth for these models, but field experience showed the FP5’s colors pop with more vibrancy and better skin tone reproduction. Olympus’s CCD produces somewhat softer images with muted tones, which some might prefer for a vintage or subdued aesthetic.

On the Back: Screen and Viewfinder Realities

Both cameras sport 3-inch TFT LCDs with identical nominal resolutions of 230K dots, but Panasonic adds a touchscreen interface, enhancing navigability and focussing options.

Without any electronic viewfinder on either model, composing in bright sunlight can get frustrating. The VG-160’s fixed screen means no tilting freedom, whereas neither camera offers articulation, limiting creative low or high angle composing options.

The FP5’s touchscreen speeds up menu navigation and enables touch-to-focus, saving precious seconds in the decisive moment. In my trials, this boosted keep-sharp ratios, especially in street and candid photography.

Shooting in the Wild: Autofocus, Burst Rates, and Responsiveness

When it comes to capturing motion - even a fleeting butterfly or an off-guard friend darting across a street - autofocus and continuous shooting matter.

Panasonic clearly takes the lead here with:

• Continuous shooting at 6 fps (frames per second)
• Contrast detection AF with autofocus tracking
• Touch AF with face detection plus exposure metering improvements

Olympus is stuck in single-shot AF, contrast detection only, with no AF tracking, and no burst shooting specification or continuous AF mode to speak of.

For hunting wildlife or sports enthusiasts, the FP5’s faster responsiveness and tracking vastly improve hit rates. I tested both under dynamic conditions - the FP5 locked focus reliably on moving subjects, while the VG-160 struggled and often missed the moment. Not surprising given its budget compact nature and more consumer-targeted feature set.

Zoom and Aperture: Lens Versatility and Light Gathering

Lens specs are fundamental to any shooting style. Here’s a quick rundown:

• VG-160: 5× optical zoom, 26-130mm equivalent, max aperture f/2.8-6.5
• FP5: 4× optical zoom, 35-140mm equivalent, max aperture f/3.5-5.9

Olympus VG 160 front Olympus VG 160 screen back Panasonic FP5 front Panasonic FP5 screen back

Despite the wider starting zoom on the Olympus, the FP5’s more modest zoom range still proved versatile in typical scenarios. The FP5’s lens is slightly slower (smaller aperture), which results in slightly less background blur and more struggle in low-light conditions, but its optical image stabilization helps offset this, which the VG-160 lacks entirely.

The VG-160’s wider maximum aperture at the shortest focal length (f/2.8) shines in low light but quickly narrows to f/6.5 by telephoto length, hampering versatility. Its effective macro focusing at 7cm offers pleasantly close shots, with easier-to-achieve subject isolation due to the brighter aperture at wide angle.

Portraits and Skin Tones: How Do They Handle People?

Portrait photography is a thorough test of color rendition and bokeh ability - elements critical for flattering portraits.

• Panasonic FP5: Face detection autofocus, continuous tracking, touch AF, optical stabilization
• Olympus VG-160: Face detection AF, no tracking or continuous AF, no stabilization

The FP5’s superior autofocus system means eye detection is more consistent (though neither supports dedicated eye AF, remember) and skin tones render warmer and more true to life under natural light.

The VG-160’s skin tone reproduction is softer and less punchy, sometimes veering towards cooler hues and somewhat flatter dynamic range around facial details.

In terms of background blur, neither camera offers the shallow depth of field that larger sensors provide. But the VG-160’s brighter wide-angle aperture and longer sensor-to-subject-magnification ratio awarded its portraits a touch more creamy bokeh - at least at close range. That said, neither will win over a DSLR any day.

Landscape and Travel Use: Dynamic Range and Battery Life in the Field

Both cameras lack the rugged environmental sealing pros demand, so use is best limited to mild weather.

Dynamic range is limited due to sensor size, but in daylight conditions, both hold detail remarkably well in mid-tones and highlights. Shadows can get crushed, especially on the VG-160, owing to its older processor and lack of advanced noise reduction.

Battery life readings:

• Olympus VG-160: Approx. 165 shots per full charge
• Panasonic FP5: Approx. 260 shots per full charge

On extended trips, the FP5 gets major brownie points for battery endurance, reducing the need to carry a USB charger brick or multiple batteries. Both shoot to SD/SDHC cards, but the FP5 adds SDXC compatibility and internal storage, a bonus for spontaneous grabbing without memory card prep.

Macro and Close-Up Performance: How Close Can They Get?

The VG-160 claims a macro focus range down to 7 cm, while the FP5 manages a 10 cm closest focusing distance.

In practice, Olympus’s closer macro lens focus lets you really zero in on small details - flowers, insects, textures - offering greater magnification potential in everyday shooting. Though none of these cameras have focus stacking capabilities, both offer contrast-detect AF which struggles in low light or on busy backgrounds.

Image stabilization on the FP5 helps tremendously here to reduce handshake blur, whereas the Olympus is more reliant on steady hands or tripods at these focal lengths.

Night and Astro Photography: Can They Shine in the Dark?

Small sensor compacts typically aren’t the best picks for nightscape or astrophotography due to limited ISO performance and sensor noise control.

• FP5 claims a max ISO of 6400 with aggressive noise reduction
• VG-160 maxes at ISO 1600

Neither camera supports long shutter exposures beyond four seconds (VG-160’s max shutter speed is 1/2000s minimum 4s, FP5 is capped at 1/1600s minimum 60s actually, giving a slight edge to FP5 for longer exposures).

Panasonic’s ISO boost yields marginally better results in dark scenes, but noise and artifacts creep in noticeably past ISO 800. Olympus keeps noise cleaner at ISO 1600 but limited max ISO hampers usability.

Neither offers RAW output or bulb mode, putting a damper on astro enthusiasts’ ambitions. However, for casual night snapshots or cityscapes - with a tripod - the FP5’s stability and extended ISO range may serve you better.

Video Capabilities: What About Moving Pictures?

Both cameras shoot HD video at 1280x720p, 30fps, encoded in Motion JPEG - a format that’s notoriously inefficient in compression and file size but common for the era.

Neither supports 4K, external microphone input, headphone jacks, or advanced features like in-body stabilization for video beyond the FP5’s optical stabilization helping a bit with handheld shake.

No manual video controls, no slow motion modes, and no focus zoom or tracking in video mode (despite FP5’s autofocus tracking in stills). Essentially, both cameras are suitable for casual home movies but fall short for serious videographers.

Connectivity, Storage, and Extra Goodies

By 2012 and 2011 standards, these cameras lack wireless connectivity (no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) and HDMI out, underscoring their status as budget-friendly, basic compacts.

Storage-wise:

• Olympus VG-160 uses SD/SDHC cards only (no SDXC)
• Panasonic FP5 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC plus offers some internal memory - a small but useful feature to save shots if you forget your card.

Charging and data transfer both rely on USB 2.0, the old familiar.

Summing Up Strengths, Weaknesses, and Ideal Users

From my hands-on testing, here’s a brief rundown:

Choosing Between Them - Who Should Pick What?

If you are a beginner photographer or someone wanting a pocketable, inexpensive snappy shooter for snapshots, vacations, and the occasional macro shot, the Olympus VG-160 offers decent image quality with its brighter lens aperture, lighter body, and simplicity.

That said, the lack of stabilization, continuous focusing, and limited ISO range make it better suited for well-lit environments and slower-paced shooting.

The Panasonic FP5, by contrast, is a better fit if you crave faster performance, better autofocus, a touchscreen interface, longer battery life, and superior low-light capabilities.

Its 4× zoom range may feel slightly less versatile in wide angle, but optical stabilization and extended ISO range mean more reliable use in varied shooting conditions - ideal for street photography, travel documentation, and casual wildlife capture.

Specialties: Which Camera Excels at Which Photography Type?

• Portraits: Panasonic wins for face detection, touch AF, and more natural skin tones.
• Landscapes: Slight edge to Olympus for wider capture (26mm) and brighter lens at wide angle.
• Wildlife: Panasonic’s tracking AF and higher frame rate make it superior.
• Sports: Panasonic again comes out ahead for burst shooting.
• Street: Panasonic’s quick AF and touchscreen make it more efficient; both are compact and discreet.
• Macro: Olympus offers closer focusing but FP5’s stabilization steadies shots.
• Night/Astro: Panasonic’s higher max ISO and longer shutter range favor low light.
• Video: Both basic; Panasonic’s stabilization helps but neither meets enthusiast video needs.
• Travel: Panasonic’s battery life, stabilization, and autofocus edge it out.
• Professional Use: Neither, frankly - these are casual compacts, with limited files types, no RAW, and restricted controls.

Final Thoughts From the Field

In the compact camera realm, it’s crucial to temper expectations - a small sensor and fixed lens design impose limits no amount of marketing jargon can rewrite.

Having shot extensively with both candidates, I’m convinced the Panasonic FP5 holds more appeal for enthusiasts wanting a touch more sophistication - smarter autofocus, image stabilization, superior battery endurance, and touchscreen responsiveness. It’s not perfect (no RAW, no viewfinder, lightweight construction) but it’s a sprightly all-rounder for the category at a modest price point.

The Olympus VG-160 remains a notably budget-conscious alternative, especially for casual shooters who need a straightforward point-and-shoot with a respectable lens and fun macro capabilities. Its brighter aperture at wide angle is a plus but the absence of image stabilization and slow burst speed can frustrate more ambitious uses.

If you treasure reliability, faster response, plus solid low-light coverage in compact portability, go for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5.

If you want value, simple operation, and brighter wide-angle shots in a lighter package, the Olympus VG-160 could suit your casual shoot-and-share approach.

Hope this comparison saves you from mounting buyer’s remorse and gets you shooting with joy - whichever little wonder you pick!

Happy snapping!

End of Comparison Article