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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 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
  • Launched January 2012
Sony S980
(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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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 Overview

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").

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Sony S980

 VG-160 S980 
LaunchedJanuary 2012February 2009More modern by 36 months
Display size3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography info
Sony S980 Portrait photography info
33
MP count decent (14MP)
offers face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography features
Sony S980 Street photography features
56
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography advice
Sony S980 Sports photography advice
26
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (165 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (165 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography information
Sony S980 Landscape photography information
36
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery pack (165 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
27
manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
30
reasonably wide (26mm)
offers face detect focus
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Sony S980
 Olympus VG-160Sony 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