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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony G3

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony G3 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
  • Revealed January 2012
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony G3 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Olympus VG-160 and Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the VG-160 (14MP) and G3 (10MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VG-160 was brought out 3 years later than the G3 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief view of how the VG-160 scores vs the G3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Sony G3

 VG-160 G3 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2009Fresher by 37 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Olympus VG-160

 G3 VG-160 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Sony G3

 VG-160 G3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus VG-160 provides physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony G3 has specifications of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus VG-160 and Sony G3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the VG-160 versus the G3.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the VG-160 and G3 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-160 and G3.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Olympus VG-160 to result in greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The younger VG-160 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography features
Sony G3 Portrait photography features
33
megapixel count decent (14MP)
provides face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
26
manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography features
Sony G3 Street photography features
56
lighter than average (125g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography details
Sony G3 Sports photography details
26
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery power (165 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
23
image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography details
Sony G3 Travel photography details
65
lighter than average (125 grams)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low battery power (165 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography factors
Sony G3 Landscape photography factors
36
rather wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery power (165 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
36
manual focus
very good size screen (3.5")
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging info
Sony G3 Vlogging info
30
rather wide (26mm)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than average (125g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
27
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Sony G3
 Olympus VG-160Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VG-160 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-01-10 2009-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
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 fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focus range 7cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3.5"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 1s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1000s
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.80 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125 grams (0.28 pounds) 185 grams (0.41 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 165 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $90 $200