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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 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
  • Released January 2012
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A100
Photography Glossary

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the VG-160 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The VG-160 was launched 2 years after the A550 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the VG-160 scores against the A550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Sony A550

 VG-160 A550 
ReleasedJanuary 2012December 2009More modern by 26 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus VG-160

 A550 VG-160 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Sony A550

 VG-160 A550 
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-160 provides physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 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 vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the VG-160 compared to the A550.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VG-160 and A550 is 96 and 63 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing technical specs. The image below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-160 and A550.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The VG-160 uses the smaller sensor which will make achieving bokeh more challenging. The younger VG-160 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
comes with face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography information
Sony A550 Street photography information
56
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography features
Sony A550 Sports photography features
26
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery pack (165 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography details
Sony A550 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (165 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (480 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
36
pretty wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (165 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
66
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
not so great battery (480 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A550 as a Vlogging camera
30
pretty wide (26mm)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
9
no video
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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Sony A550
 Olympus VG-160Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VG-160 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-01-10 2009-12-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 7cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.80 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 125g (0.28 lbs) 632g (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life 165 shots 480 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $90 $749