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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-7 front
Portability
84
Imaging
63
Features
71
Overall
66

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7 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
  • Launched January 2012
Sony NEX-7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
  • Revealed December 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the VG-160 (14MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) and the VG-160 (1/2.3") and NEX-7 (APS-C) posses different sensor size.

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The VG-160 was introduced at a similar time to the NEX-7 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the VG-160 matches up versus the NEX-7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Sony NEX-7

 VG-160 NEX-7 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Olympus VG-160

 NEX-7 VG-160 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Sony NEX-7

 VG-160 NEX-7 
RevealedJanuary 2012December 2011Same age
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-160 enjoys 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) and the Sony NEX-7 has dimensions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the VG-160 and the NEX-7.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the VG-160 and NEX-7 is 96 and 84 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing specs. The photograph here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-160 and NEX-7.

All in all, both of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The VG-160 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony NEX-7 will provide you with extra detail using its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots more aggressively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-7 Portrait photography features
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
77
has manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-7 Street photography factors
56
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VG-160
Sports photography with Sony NEX-7
26
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery power (165 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
61
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery power (430 CIPA)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-7 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery power (165 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
great battery power (430 CIPA)
decent megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-7 Landscape photography factors
36
fairly wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery power (165 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (430 CIPA)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-7 Vlogging information
30
fairly wide (26mm)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (125g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
35
features face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Sony NEX-7
 Olympus VG-160Sony Alpha NEX-7
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VG-160 Sony Alpha NEX-7
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2012-01-10 2011-12-13
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 16000
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focus range 7cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.80 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125 gr (0.28 pounds) 400 gr (0.88 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 81
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1016
Other
Battery life 165 photos 430 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $90 $699