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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
86
Overall
67

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony ZV-1 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Announced May 2020
  • Replacement is Sony ZV-1 II
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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Olympus VG-160 versus Sony ZV-1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the VG-160 (14MP) and ZV-1 (20MP) and the VG-160 (1/2.3") and ZV-1 (1") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The VG-160 was launched 9 years before the ZV-1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the VG-160 grades vs the ZV-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Sony ZV-1

 VG-160 ZV-1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Olympus VG-160

 ZV-1 VG-160 
AnnouncedMay 2020January 2012Fresher by 102 months
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Sony ZV-1

 VG-160 ZV-1 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-160 offers external 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 ZV-1 has dimensions of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus VG-160 versus Sony ZV-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the VG-160 against the ZV-1.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and ZV-1 is 96 and 88 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching specs. The photograph underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-160 and ZV-1.

All in all, both of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The VG-160 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Sony ZV-1 will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The older VG-160 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VG-160
Portrait photography with Sony ZV-1
33
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
73
manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography information
Sony ZV-1 Street photography information
56
lighter than others (125 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
85
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
supports touch focus
lighter than competitors (294 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VG-160
Sports photography with Sony ZV-1
26
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (165 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
71
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (24.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
offers tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery (260 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Travel photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others (125 grams)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (165 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
81
lighter than competitors (294g)
connects via bluetooth
supports touch focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
relatively wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
not so great battery (260 shots)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography advice
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography advice
36
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery life (165 shots)
no Timelapse recording
70
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
not so great battery (260 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VG-160
Vlogging with Sony ZV-1
30
fairly wide (26mm)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than others (125 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone socket
86
relatively wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic socket
lighter than competitors (294 grams)
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Olympus VG-160 vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Sony ZV-1
 Olympus VG-160Sony ZV-1
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus VG-160 Sony ZV-1
Type Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-01-10 2020-05-27
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 315
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing range 7cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 24.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.80 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 grams (0.28 lb) 294 grams (0.65 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 165 images 260 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $90 $750