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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax WG-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
  • Released January 2012
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2011
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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Olympus VG-160 and Pentax WG-1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is very similar and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VG-160 was introduced 12 months later than the WG-1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a quick summation of how the VG-160 matches up versus the WG-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 VG-160 WG-1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2011Fresher by 12 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

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

 WG-1 VG-160 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

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

 VG-160 WG-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus VG-160 comes with outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus VG-160 and Pentax WG-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the VG-160 versus the WG-1.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the VG-160 and WG-1 is 96 and 93 respectively.

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

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-160 and WG-1.

Clearly, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of files but you need to factor the age of the products into consideration. The younger VG-160 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography advice
34
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
35
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography info
Pentax WG-1 Street photography info
56
lighter than competition (125 grams)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
54
weather sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Sports photography camera
27
megapixel count good (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (165 shots)
no phase detect AF
37
decent megapixels (14MP)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography highlights
66
lighter than competition (125g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (165 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
weather sealing
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VG-160
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1
37
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery (165 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14MP)
weather sealing
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging information
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging information
30
fairly wide (26mm)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competition (125 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Pentax WG-1
 Olympus VG-160Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus VG-160 Pentax Optio WG-1
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2012-01-10 2011-02-07
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 7cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
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 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
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-70B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $90 $350