Olympus VG-160 vs Sony RX100 VA

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus VG-160 and Sony RX100 VA, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the VG-160 (14MP) and RX100 VA (20MP) and the VG-160 (1/2.3") and RX100 VA (1") possess totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The VG-160 was announced 7 years prior to the RX100 VA and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the VG-160 matches up against the RX100 VA when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus VG-160 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A). The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus VG-160 Gallery and Sony RX100 VA Gallery.

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus VG-160 has got outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony RX100 VA has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") along with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Examine the Olympus VG-160 and Sony RX100 VA in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the VG-160 vs the RX100 VA.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and RX100 VA is 96 and 89 respectively.

Sometimes, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements simply by going over specs. The visual underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-160 and RX100 VA.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The VG-160 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Sony RX100 VA will deliver greater detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older VG-160 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.