Olympus VG-160 vs Samsung WB750: A Detailed Comparison for Photographers

Choosing the right camera involves balancing your creative needs, budget, and expectations for image quality and handling. Both the Olympus VG-160 and Samsung WB750 are compact cameras from the early 2010s aimed at casual to enthusiast users seeking affordable, versatile photographic tools. But how do these two models stack up when put under careful, expert evaluation? Drawing from our extensive hands-on testing and real-world experience with cameras in similar categories, this article will dissect their strengths, limitations, and best use cases to help you find the camera suited to your photography journey.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

When selecting a camera, ergonomics and physical size are often pivotal. You want a camera that feels right in your hands - comfortable to hold for extended shooting sessions - and portable enough for daily carry.

The Olympus VG-160 presents itself as an ultra-compact, sleek camera measuring just 19mm thick and weighing only 125g. This slim and lightweight design is ideal if pocketability is your priority. However, the slim profile means limited grip and control buttons, which can affect usability for more deliberate shooting.

In contrast, the Samsung WB750 is noticeably larger and heavier, tipping the scales at 193g with thicker body dimensions. This affords a better hand grip and more physical controls - particularly useful if you want to adjust settings manually during a shoot. For photographers who value direct control and a more robust feel, the WB750 edges ahead here.

Visualizing the Controls: Top-Down Layout

User interface design greatly influences how quickly and intuitively you can operate your camera, especially in fast-paced shooting scenarios.

Both cameras feature a top control array typical of compact point-and-shoots. The VG-160 offers minimal buttons focused on essential functions, while the WB750 integrates additional dials enabling manual exposure modes like aperture and shutter priority. This is a distinct advantage for photography enthusiasts aiming to expand their creative control.

If you want a purely automatic casual shooter, the Olympus’s simpler interface means fewer distractions. For users valuing on-the-fly adjustments and a more tactile shooting experience, Samsung’s layout will feel more accommodating.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: A Core Comparison

The sensor is a camera’s heart. It determines fundamental image quality characteristics such as resolution, dynamic range, low-light capability, and color fidelity. Both cameras are based on small sensors, typical for compacts of their period, but with crucial differences.

While both utilise the same 1/2.3-inch sensor size, Samsung’s camera employs a BSI (Backside Illuminated) CMOS sensor technology. This design excels over traditional CCD sensors in gathering light efficiency, particularly in low-light scenarios. The Olympus uses a CCD sensor, a mature technology that historically emphasizes color accuracy but can struggle with noise at higher ISOs.

The WB750 supports a wider ISO range, extending to 3200, effectively improving its performance in darker environments. The VG-160 maxes out at 1600 ISO, limiting low-light usability. This difference significantly impacts night, indoor, and event photography quality.

Exploring the Displays and User Interface

A clear, bright LCD allows you to compose, review, and score your shots efficiently.

Both cameras forego electronic viewfinders entirely, relying only on their rear LCDs - a standard approach for compact cameras from their time. Samsung’s screen offers double the resolution of Olympus’s, delivering sharper image previews and better evaluation of fine details like focus accuracy.

For composing shots under tricky lighting (bright sun or shaded indoors), Samsung’s brighter, higher resolution display provides a more confident shooting experience.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility for Various Scenes

The built-in lens defines your framing options and creative reach. Examining focal lengths, apertures, and macro capabilities reveals practical strengths.

Olympus’s lens starts with a slightly wider angle (26mm) useful for landscapes and indoor shots. However, it zooms only up to 130mm equivalent, which limits reach for distant subjects.

Samsung’s lens offers an impressive 18x zoom - extending to a 432mm equivalent reach. This superzoom capability opens up wildlife, sports, and detail-oriented photography at a variety of distances.

Notably, the WB750 includes optical image stabilization to counter handheld shake, crucial at telephoto settings. The Olympus VG-160 lacks any stabilization mechanism, increasing the risk of blur with telephoto framing or longer exposures.

For macro enthusiasts, Samsung’s 5 cm close focusing beats Olympus’s 7 cm, enabling more pronounced close-up photography.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Autofocus speed and accuracy shape how easily you can capture sharp, in-focus images - critical for action or candid photography.

The VG-160 has a basic contrast-detection AF system without continuous autofocus or tracking modes, limiting its effectiveness for moving subjects or complex scenes.

Samsung’s WB750 supports contrast-detection with AF tracking, enabling it to follow subjects effectively during burst shooting. With a continuous frame rate up to 10 fps, it excels at sports, wildlife, and other fast-paced photography.

This combination makes the WB750 more forgiving and versatile in dynamic photographic situations.

Image Quality in Practice: Outdoor, Portrait, and Low Light

We captured a series of images across various settings to evaluate real-world image fidelity and handling nuances.

Olympus VG 160 front Olympus VG 160 screen back Samsung WB750 screen back

Portraits:

• Olympus renders skin tones subtly with decent bokeh in its f/2.8 wide setting but struggles with sharper focus control and lacks face-tracking AF refinements.
• Samsung offers more accurate and lively color reproduction with better exposure control and steadier focus in portrait scenarios.

Landscapes:

• Both cameras produce reasonably sharp images given sensor size limitations, but Olympus’s slightly higher resolution aids detail capture.
• Samsung’s wider zoom range is a bonus for cropping or reaching distant vistas.

Low-Light/Night:

• Olympus’s CCD sensor introduces more noise and less detail retention above ISO 800.
• Samsung’s BSI-CMOS sensor noise performance is better, with cleaner images up to ISO 1600 and beyond, thanks to sensor design and image stabilization assisting longer shutter use without blur.

Video Capabilities: Basics and More

Video recording is increasingly important for hybrid shooters, vloggers, and casual multimedia storytellers.

The VG-160 is limited to HD 720p video at standard frame rates stored as Motion JPEG - a comparatively bulky, older compression format.

Samsung delivers Full HD 1080p video with the efficient H.264 codec, producing higher quality footage with smaller file sizes, suitable for editing and sharing. Its optical image stabilization is a valuable feature for smoother handheld video capture.

Additionally, Samsung includes an HDMI output, enabling direct playback on external monitors - a thoughtful touch for outreach and review.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports, so expect basic onboard audio performance.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Long battery life and flexible storage are practical factors affecting day-to-day usability.

The VG-160’s rated 165 shots per charge is modest, reflecting its compact design and smaller battery capacity. Samsung's official figures are unavailable, but in general, cameras with larger body sizes and batteries like the WB750 tend to last longer, often around 250 shots per charge.

Both cameras support standard SD cards, but only Samsung supports SDXC for higher capacity cards, useful as your storage needs grow.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Today’s cameras also benefit from connectivity for easy sharing and backup.

Neither camera provides built-in wireless features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth that many modern shooters expect for mobile uploading. Both rely on USB 2.0 for wired file transfer.

Gear Up: Lens Ecosystem and Manual Controls

Because both cameras use fixed lens designs, they do not support interchangeable lenses. This limits your optical versatility but simplifies the user experience.

Samsung’s support for manual focus and full manual exposure modes (aperture priority, shutter priority, full manual) offers creative flexibility uncommon in small compacts and missing in Olympus VG-160, which only supports fully automatic shooting.

How Do They Rank Overall?

Based on extensive empirical testing data combined with real world shooting, here’s a summarized performance ranking:

The Olympus VG-160 scores well where simplicity and affordability matter, but lacks advanced features and image quality improvements.

The Samsung WB750 balances better image quality, zoom versatility, and creative control at a higher price point.

Tailoring the Choices by Photography Genre

Let’s break down how each model serves specific photography types. This will help you visualize their fit for your style.

Portraits: Samsung’s better autofocus, face detection, and color response make it the superior choice. Olympus feels limited and less responsive for skin tones and eye detection.

Landscape: Both cameras perform adequately; Olympus edges out with slightly higher resolution and more straightforward controls for beginners, but Samsung’s zoom range and better dynamic range excel for varied landscape framing.

Wildlife: Samsung’s 18x zoom and 10 fps burst mode allow capturing fleeting moments better than Olympus’s limited reach.

Sports: Samsung’s continuous shooting and AF tracking offer significant advantages. Olympus is nearly unsuitable for this genre.

Street Photography: Olympus’s smaller size makes it less conspicuous and easier to carry, favoring street candid shots, while Samsung is bulkier.

Macro: Samsung’s 5 cm macro focusing and stabilization give it a decisive edge for sharp close-ups.

Night/Astro: Samsung’s wider ISO range and better noise control make it more effective for low-light creative shooting.

Video: Samsung’s Full HD with stabilization and H.264 compression is clearly the better video rig.

Travel: Olympus’s portability wins for pure convenience. Samsung’s all-around features favor those who want a do-it-all camera with range.

Professional Use: Neither is suited for high-end professional workflows due to fixed lenses and lack of RAW support, but Samsung’s manual controls and video features provide limited creative flexibility.

Bottom Line Recommendations

Final Thoughts – Which Camera Suits You?

If your primary priority is a lightweight, pocket-friendly camera for uncomplicated family snapshots, travel sidelining, and clear daylight capture, the Olympus VG-160 offers remarkable value with modest performance. The classic CCD sensor delivers pleasing color in well-lit conditions, but be mindful of its limitations in low light and lack of manual controls.

On the other hand, for photographers wanting to grow their skills, experiment creatively, or tackle versatile subjects - from landscapes and macros to wildlife and HD video - the Samsung WB750 represents a far more capable and flexible package, albeit with a larger footprint and higher cost.

Both cameras lack RAW file support and weather sealing, which restricts their ability to fully satisfy professional workflows or harsh shooting environments. However, they shine as accessible, portable tools that encourage exploration without overwhelming complexity.

Before purchasing, I encourage you to try handling both models wherever possible. Consider your photographic aspirations, preferred subjects, and whether you value manual control or simplicity. Pair your choice with good quality accessories such as spare batteries and fast SD cards to get the most from your investment.

Your next camera is a tool that will accompany countless memories - choose the one that aligns best with your creative spirit.

Happy shooting!