Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980
96 Imaging
37 Features
26 Overall
32
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 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
- Launched January 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Launched February 2009
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Following is a extensive assessment of the Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe VG-160 was revealed 2 years after the S980 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the VG-160 matches up against the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus VG-160 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are provided at Olympus VG-160 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Sony S980
| VG-160 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | January 2012 | February 2009 | More modern by 36 months | |
| Display size | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus VG-160
| S980 | VG-160 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very exact focus |
Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Sony S980
| VG-160 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Same display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither features selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-160 enjoys exterior 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 S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Look at the Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the VG-160 and the S980.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VG-160 and S980 is 96 and 94 respectively.
Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading through a spec sheet. The pic underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-160 and S980.
Clearly, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus VG-160 to give you extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more recent VG-160 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.
Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Olympus VG-160 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus VG-160 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 2012-01-10 | 2009-02-17 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 9 |
| Cross focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 26-130mm (5.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/2.8-6.5 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focus distance | 7cm | 10cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 2 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | - | 1.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 4.80 m | 3.50 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone 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 | 125g (0.28 lb) | 167g (0.37 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall 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 images | - |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | LI-70B | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Pricing at release | $90 | $300 |