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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax S1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax S1 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 S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed March 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Olympus VG-160 and Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The VG-160 was brought out 11 months after the S1 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the VG-160 grades versus the S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Pentax S1

 VG-160 S1 
RevealedJanuary 2012March 2011More modern by 11 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Olympus VG-160

 S1 VG-160 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Pentax S1

 VG-160 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-160 provides physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Olympus VG-160 and Pentax S1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the VG-160 versus the S1.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-160 and S1 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the VG-160 and S1.

As you can see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures however you should really take the release date of the cameras into account. The fresher VG-160 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography info
Pentax S1 Portrait photography info
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
35
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography details
Pentax S1 Street photography details
56
lighter than average (125g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VG-160
Sports photography with Pentax S1
26
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (165 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography information
Pentax S1 Travel photography information
65
lighter than average (125 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery life (165 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VG-160
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
36
pretty wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3")
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery life (165 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
42
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging factors
Pentax S1 Vlogging factors
30
pretty wide (26mm)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than average (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
28
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Pentax S1
 Olympus VG-160Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus VG-160 Pentax Optio S1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-01-10 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 7cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.80 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE 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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125 gr (0.28 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photos 260 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $90 $174