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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1 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 GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Updated by Panasonic GH2
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the GH1 (12MP) is relatively similar but the VG-160 (1/2.3") and GH1 (Four Thirds) boast totally different sensor size.

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The VG-160 was unveiled 2 years later than the GH1 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the VG-160 grades vs the GH1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Panasonic GH1

 VG-160 GH1 
IntroducedJanuary 2012July 2009Fresher by 31 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Olympus VG-160

 GH1 VG-160 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic GH1

 VG-160 GH1 
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-160 has exterior measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic GH1 has proportions of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") having a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the VG-160 versus the GH1.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and GH1 is 96 and 81 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over technical specs. The photograph here will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the VG-160 and GH1.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The VG-160 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Olympus VG-160 will offer you greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more recent VG-160 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography features
Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography features
33
MP count good (14MP)
has face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
59
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Street photography camera
56
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
72
screen articulates fully
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GH1 Sports photography highlights
26
MP count good (14MP)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (165 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
32
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (320 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (165 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery power (320 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Landscape photography camera
36
relatively wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery pack (165 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
bad battery power (320 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Vlogging camera
30
relatively wide (26mm)
has face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
72
display is selfie friendly
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone port
lack of image stabilization
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic GH1
 Olympus VG-160Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VG-160 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2012-01-10 2009-07-10
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 18.89 x 14.48mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 273.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focus range 7cm -
Amount of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 1.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.80 m 10.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125g (0.28 lb) 385g (0.85 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life 165 pictures 320 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $90 $949