• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 130.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus VG-160 advantages over Panasonic ZS20

  • Less expensive
    $100 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 28 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 207g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Olympus VG-160

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 130 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 260 vs 165 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Olympus VG-160

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Buy the Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS20

Review Excerpt

  • Very long zoom lens; Full HD video; Great grip; Built-in GPS; HDR and Handheld Night Shot modes.

  • Poor image quality due to excessive noise suppression; Flash too close to the grip; No GPS logging; Battery only charges in the camera; Limited touchscreen.

  • Read our Panasonic ZS20 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W510

Olympus VG-160
Sony DSC-W510
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $82
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Olympus VG-160 vs Sony DSC-W510

Panasonic ZS20
Sony DSC-W510
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $82
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony DSC-W510

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Olympus VG-160
Panasonic ZS10
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen

Compare Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS10
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS10

Compared to Canon A3400 IS

Olympus VG-160
Canon A3400 IS
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer exposure

Compare Olympus VG-160 vs Canon A3400 IS

Panasonic ZS20
Canon A3400 IS
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Canon A3400 IS

Compared to Canon A2300

Olympus VG-160
Canon A2300
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compare Olympus VG-160 vs Canon A2300

Panasonic ZS20
Canon A2300
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Canon A2300

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Olympus VG-160
Panasonic ZS19
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen

Compare Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS19
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS19

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