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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1 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 ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the VG-160 (14MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the VG-160 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The VG-160 was introduced 2 years later than the ZS1 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the VG-160 grades against the ZS1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Panasonic ZS1

 VG-160 ZS1 
IntroducedJanuary 2012May 2009Fresher by 33 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus VG-160

 ZS1 VG-160 

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic ZS1

 VG-160 ZS1 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-160 provides exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS1 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the VG-160 compared to the ZS1.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the VG-160 and ZS1 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-160 and ZS1.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The VG-160 having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus VG-160 will give you extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger VG-160 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Portrait photography camera
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
25
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS1 Street photography highlights
56
lighter than competition (125g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Sports photography camera
26
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (165 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition (125g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (165 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than average (229 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
no Timelapse function
low MP (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography details
36
rather wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery pack (165 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VG-160
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS1
30
rather wide (26mm)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competition (125 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than average (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
no microphone jack
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus VG-160Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VG-160 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-01-10 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 7cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.80 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125 grams (0.28 lbs) 229 grams (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $90 $0