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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS15

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS15 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 FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS15 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus VG-160 versus Panasonic FS15, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the FS15 (12MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VG-160 was introduced 3 years later than the FS15 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the VG-160 grades against the FS15 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Panasonic FS15

 VG-160 FS15 
RevealedJanuary 2012January 2009Fresher by 37 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Olympus VG-160

 FS15 VG-160 

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic FS15

 VG-160 FS15 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS15 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus VG-160 has got physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic FS15 has sizing of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus VG-160 versus Panasonic FS15 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the VG-160 and the FS15.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS15 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the VG-160 and FS15 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS15 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by checking out specs. The graphic here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the VG-160 and FS15.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Olympus VG-160 to produce more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The newer VG-160 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography advice
33
MP count good (14MP)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
20
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Street photography camera
56
lighter than competition (125g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography features
Panasonic FS15 Sports photography features
26
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (165 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography info
Panasonic FS15 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competition (125g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
not so great battery power (165 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography information
36
decently wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3")
MP count good (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery power (165 per charge)
no Timelapse function
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VG-160
Vlogging with Panasonic FS15
30
decently wide (26mm)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competition (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic FS15
 Olympus VG-160Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VG-160 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
Type Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Revealed 2012-01-10 2009-01-16
Physical type 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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 29-145mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 7cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.80 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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 format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 gr (0.28 pounds) 136 gr (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" 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 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $90 $180