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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Released July 2014
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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

The following is a thorough comparison of the Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax XG-1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The VG-160 was introduced 3 years earlier than the XG-1 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the VG-160 grades vs the XG-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 VG-160 XG-1 

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

 XG-1 VG-160 
ReleasedJuly 2014January 2012Newer by 30 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

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

 VG-160 XG-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus VG-160 has got outside dimensions 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 XG-1 has specifications of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Examine the Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax XG-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the VG-160 versus the XG-1.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and XG-1 is 96 and 66 respectively.

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

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing specifications. The picture below will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-160 and XG-1.

To sum up, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax XG-1 to provide extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The more aged VG-160 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography advice
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography advice
33
resolution is good (14MP)
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
40
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography details
Pentax XG-1 Street photography details
56
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
more heavy than average in class (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography features
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography features
26
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (165 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
45
incredible zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography details
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography details
65
lighter than average in class (125g)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery (165 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
52
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (1248mm)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
more heavy than average in class (567 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VG-160
Landscape photography with Pentax XG-1
36
decently wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery (165 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
45
focusing manually
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
30
decently wide (26mm)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
25
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (567g)
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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Pentax XG-1
 Olympus VG-160Pentax XG-1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus VG-160 Pentax XG-1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-01-10 2014-07-15
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing range 7cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 gr (0.28 pounds) 567 gr (1.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs 240 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-70B LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $90 $599