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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS20 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 ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
Photography Glossary

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Following is a complete overview of the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic ZS20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VG-160 was introduced 3 months earlier than the ZS20 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the VG-160 grades vs the ZS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Panasonic ZS20

 VG-160 ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus VG-160

 ZS20 VG-160 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic ZS20

 VG-160 ZS20 
IntroducedJanuary 2012April 2012Same generation
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-160 provides physical measurements 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 ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the VG-160 versus the ZS20.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and ZS20 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes simply by seeing specifications. The picture here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the VG-160 and ZS20.

Plainly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP and you should expect comparable quality of images but you will want to take the release date of the cameras into account.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography advice
33
MP count good (14MP)
supports face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
30
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography details
56
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
65
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than competition (206 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VG-160
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
26
MP count good (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (165 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average in class (125g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (165 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition (206 grams)
has touch to focus
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
no Time Lapse recording
low battery (260 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography advice
36
relatively wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery life (165 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
42
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery (260 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging features
30
relatively wide (26mm)
supports face detection focus
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (206 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no external mic jack
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus VG-160Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VG-160 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-01-10 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor 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
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 7cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 grams (0.28 lbs) 206 grams (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 pictures 260 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $90 $349