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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS12 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 FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced April 2009
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

The following is a extensive assessment of the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic FS12, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Ultracompact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The VG-160 was released 2 years after the FS12 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the VG-160 grades against the FS12 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Panasonic FS12

 VG-160 FS12 
IntroducedJanuary 2012April 2009Newer by 34 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus VG-160

 FS12 VG-160 

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic FS12

 VG-160 FS12 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera often, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus VG-160 enjoys outside dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic FS12 has measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic FS12 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the VG-160 versus the FS12.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and FS12 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by checking out technical specs. The image below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-160 and FS12.

As you can tell, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus VG-160 to produce more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent VG-160 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography information
33
good MP (14MP)
includes face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
21
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography advice
Panasonic FS12 Street photography advice
56
lighter than average in class (125g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
26
good MP (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (165 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography info
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography info
65
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (165 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography information
36
quite wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery life (165 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
30
quite wide (26mm)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (125g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone port
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus VG-160Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VG-160 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Type Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Revealed 2012-01-10 2009-04-17
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 7cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG 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 None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 grams (0.28 lbs) 129 grams (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 165 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $90 $228