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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
41
Overall
39

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ7 Key Specs

Olympus VG-160
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic SZ7, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VG-160 was revealed very close to the SZ7 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short highlight of how the VG-160 matches up vs the SZ7 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Panasonic SZ7

 VG-160 SZ7 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Olympus VG-160

 SZ7 VG-160 
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic SZ7

 VG-160 SZ7 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2012Same generation
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-160 enjoys exterior 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 SZ7 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic SZ7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the VG-160 compared to the SZ7.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the VG-160 and SZ7 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through specs. The pic here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the VG-160 and SZ7.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution and you should expect comparable quality of files although you would want to consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography details
34
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
features face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
34
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Street photography camera
56
lighter than competition in class (125g)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (133 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography factors
27
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery life (165 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography highlights
66
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (165 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than average (133g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography features
Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography features
37
really wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery life (165 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
42
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VG-160
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ7
30
really wide (26mm)
features face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (125g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
35
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (133 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic SZ7
 Olympus VG-160Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VG-160 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-10 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 7cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.80 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125g (0.28 pounds) 133g (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 165 pictures 220 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $90 $199