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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A230

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A230 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
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A200
  • Replacement is Sony A290
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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A230 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Olympus VG-160 versus Sony A230, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the VG-160 (14MP) and A230 (10MP) and the VG-160 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The VG-160 was manufactured 2 years later than the A230 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the VG-160 matches up against the A230 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Sony A230

 VG-160 A230 
LaunchedJanuary 2012May 2009Fresher by 33 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Olympus VG-160

 A230 VG-160 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Sony A230

 VG-160 A230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus VG-160 has outer measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony A230 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VG-160 versus Sony A230 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the VG-160 compared to the A230.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and A230 is 96 and 69 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The photograph below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the VG-160 and A230.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The VG-160 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Olympus VG-160 will resolve extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The younger VG-160 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography details
Sony A230 Portrait photography details
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
54
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography highlights
Sony A230 Street photography highlights
56
lighter than competitors (125g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VG-160
Sports photography with Sony A230
26
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (165 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography highlights
Sony A230 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competitors (125g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery power (165 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
45
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (230 shots)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography details
Sony A230 Landscape photography details
36
really wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery power (165 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
51
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging highlights
Sony A230 Vlogging highlights
30
really wide (26mm)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competitors (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
9
no video
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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Sony A230
 Olympus VG-160Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VG-160 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-01-10 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 7cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.80 m 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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 125g (0.28 pounds) 490g (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life 165 photos 230 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $90 $569