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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
37 Features
46 Overall
40

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
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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)
Photography Glossary
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