Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550
96 Imaging
37 Features
26 Overall
32
63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
58
Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(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
(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
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.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe 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.
Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus VG-160 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus VG-160 Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Sony A550
VG-160 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | December 2009 | More modern by 26 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus VG-160
A550 | VG-160 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Dial precise focusing | |||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
Screen resolution | 922k | 230k | Crisper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Sony A550
VG-160 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | 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.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.
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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus VG-160 vs Sony A550 Specifications
Olympus VG-160 | Sony 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 |