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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ5 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
  • Released January 2012
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Olympus VG-160 versus Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The VG-160 was introduced 6 months earlier than the SZ5 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the VG-160 grades versus the SZ5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Panasonic SZ5

 VG-160 SZ5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Olympus VG-160

 SZ5 VG-160 

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic SZ5

 VG-160 SZ5 
ReleasedJanuary 2012July 2012Same age
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus VG-160 offers physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has specifications of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Look at the Olympus VG-160 versus Panasonic SZ5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the VG-160 and the SZ5.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-160 and SZ5 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions only by checking out technical specs. The picture here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-160 and SZ5.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution and you can expect comparable quality of files but you may want to consider the age of the cameras into account.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography factors
33
good megapixels (14MP)
comes with face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
33
good megapixels (14MP)
has face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography advice
56
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography features
26
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (165 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VG-160
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
65
lighter than competition in class (125g)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (165 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competition in class (136g)
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VG-160
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
36
relatively wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery power (165 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging info
30
relatively wide (26mm)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
32
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (136g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic SZ5
 Olympus VG-160Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VG-160 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-01-10 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 7cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 5.60 m
Flash modes 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) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 125g (0.28 lb) 136g (0.30 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 250 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $90 $195