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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax MX-1 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
  • Launched January 2012
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus VG-160 versus Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is very similar but the VG-160 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") boast different sensor sizes.

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The VG-160 was released 17 months earlier than the MX-1 making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the VG-160 scores against the MX-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Pentax MX-1

 VG-160 MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus VG-160

 MX-1 VG-160 
LaunchedJuly 2013January 2012More modern by 17 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Pentax MX-1

 VG-160 MX-1 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus VG-160 has exterior 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 Pentax MX-1 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") along with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus VG-160 versus Pentax MX-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the VG-160 vs the MX-1.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and MX-1 is 96 and 84 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes just by reading specs. The image underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-160 and MX-1.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The VG-160 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Olympus VG-160 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images more aggressively. The more aged VG-160 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VG-160
Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
42
has manual focus
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VG-160
Street photography with Pentax MX-1
56
lighter than competition in class (125g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (391g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography highlights
26
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (165 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
good battery (290 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography information
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography information
65
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery (165 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
good battery (290 CIPA)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
36
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery (165 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
55
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
good battery (290 CIPA)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging highlights
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging highlights
30
fairly wide (26mm)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
33
rather wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing mic port
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus VG-160Pentax MX-1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus VG-160 Pentax MX-1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-10 2013-07-01
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing range 7cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 gr (0.28 lb) 391 gr (0.86 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 208
Other
Battery life 165 images 290 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-70B D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $90 $400