Clicky

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax P80

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Pentax Optio P80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
23
Overall
30

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax P80 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
  • Revealed January 2012
Pentax P80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.6-5.8) lens
  • 125g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Revealed August 2009
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax P80 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Olympus VG-160 and Pentax P80, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the P80 (12MP) is very comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The VG-160 was announced 2 years later than the P80 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the VG-160 matches up versus the P80 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Pentax P80

 VG-160 P80 
RevealedJanuary 2012August 2009Fresher by 30 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax P80 over the Olympus VG-160

 P80 VG-160 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Pentax P80

 VG-160 P80 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax P80 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus VG-160 features external measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax P80 has specifications of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Olympus VG-160 and Pentax P80 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the VG-160 versus the P80.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax P80 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-160 and P80 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax P80 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax P80 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing specs. The photograph below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the VG-160 and P80.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus VG-160 to show more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer VG-160 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax P80 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax P80 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax P80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography info
Pentax P80 Portrait photography info
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography advice
Pentax P80 Street photography advice
56
lighter than competition (125g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
55
lighter than others (125 grams)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography advice
Pentax P80 Sports photography advice
26
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (165 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
17
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography advice
Pentax P80 Travel photography advice
65
lighter than competition (125g)
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low battery life (165 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
62
lighter than others (125 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography information
Pentax P80 Landscape photography information
36
rather wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3")
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery life (165 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
32
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging advice
Pentax P80 Vlogging advice
30
rather wide (26mm)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competition (125g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
lighter than others (125g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax P80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Pentax P80
 Olympus VG-160Pentax Optio P80
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus VG-160 Pentax Optio P80
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-01-10 2009-08-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/2.6-5.8
Macro focus distance 7cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1000s
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.80 m 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in -
External flash
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125 grams (0.28 lb) 125 grams (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-70B D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $90 $200