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Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus VG-120

Portability
93
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51
Nikon 1 S2 front
 
Olympus VG-120 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus VG-120 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S2
(Full Review)
  • 14.2MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 190g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Launched May 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon 1 S1
Olympus VG-120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus VG-120 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Nikon 1 S2 and Olympus VG-120, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the VG-120 (14MP) is fairly similar but the 1 S2 (1") and VG-120 (1/2.3") provide different sensor measurements.

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The 1 S2 was released 3 years later than the VG-120 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Nikon 1 S2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short view of how the 1 S2 matches up vs the VG-120 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Olympus VG-120

 1 S2 VG-120 
RevealedMay 2014January 2011Fresher by 42 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Nikon 1 S2

 VG-120 1 S2 

Common features in the Nikon 1 S2 and Olympus VG-120

 1 S2 VG-120 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 S2 provides physical measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Olympus VG-120 has proportions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon 1 S2 and Olympus VG-120 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the 1 S2 and the VG-120.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus VG-120 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 S2 and VG-120 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus VG-120 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 S2 and VG-120.

As you have seen, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 1 S2 featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon 1 S2 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 0.2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more modern 1 S2 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus VG-120 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Portrait photography factors
Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography factors
60
focusing manually
MP count decent (14.2MP)
decent sensor size (1")
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Street photography camera
71
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (190 grams)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
48
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Sports photography highlights
Olympus VG-120 Sports photography highlights
60
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
max fps high (60.0 fps)
MP count decent (14.2MP)
decent sensor size (1")
offers tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (270 per charge)
26
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (160 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Travel photography details
Olympus VG-120 Travel photography details
66
lighter than competition (190 grams)
MP count decent (14.2MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery power (270 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
62
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (160 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Landscape photography camera
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (14.2 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (270 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
36
rather wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery power (160 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Vlogging info
Olympus VG-120 Vlogging info
33
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (190g)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have external mic port
28
rather wide (26mm)
features face detection autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S2 and Olympus VG-120
 Nikon 1 S2Olympus VG-120
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon 1 S2 Olympus VG-120
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2014-05-21 2011-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 4A TruePic III
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 13.1 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 115.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14.2 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Highest resolution 4592 x 3072 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 12800 1600
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 171 -
Cross focus points 73 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus range - 7cm
Amount of lenses 13 -
Crop factor 2.7 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.40 m
Flash options Fill, fill w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/ slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional 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 190 gr (0.42 pounds) 120 gr (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 270 shots 160 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL22 LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $450 $190