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Nikon L31 vs Olympus VG-120

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
27
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix L31 front
 
Olympus VG-120 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon L31 vs Olympus VG-120 Key Specs

Nikon L31
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced January 2015
Olympus VG-120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
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Nikon L31 vs Olympus VG-120 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Nikon L31 versus Olympus VG-120, both Ultracompact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the L31 (16MP) and the VG-120 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L31 was introduced 4 years later than the VG-120 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the L31 scores vs the VG-120 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L31 over the Olympus VG-120

 L31 VG-120 
ReleasedJanuary 2015January 2011Fresher by 49 months
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Nikon L31

 VG-120 L31 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon L31 and Olympus VG-120

 L31 VG-120 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon L31 vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon L31 offers external dimensions of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Olympus VG-120 has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L31 versus Olympus VG-120 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the L31 vs the VG-120.

Nikon L31 vs Olympus VG-120 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the L31 and VG-120 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L31 vs Olympus VG-120 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L31 vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading specs. The visual below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the L31 and VG-120.

All in all, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Nikon L31 to offer more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more recent L31 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon L31 vs Olympus VG-120 sensor size comparison

Nikon L31 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L31 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L31
Portrait photography with Olympus VG-120
35
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L31 as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Street photography camera
55
has image stabilization (Digital)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than average (160g)
48
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L31
Sports photography with Olympus VG-120
40
has image stabilization (Digital)
resolution is good (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
26
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (160 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L31 Travel photography info
Olympus VG-120 Travel photography info
68
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average (160 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
62
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (160 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L31 Landscape photography features
Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography features
39
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
36
really wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery life (160 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L31
Vlogging with Olympus VG-120
65
decently wide (26mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Digital)
provides face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
heavier than average (160 grams)
28
really wide (26mm)
supports face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
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Nikon L31 vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L31 and Olympus VG-120
 Nikon Coolpix L31Olympus VG-120
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Coolpix L31 Olympus VG-120
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2015-01-14 2011-01-06
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic III
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus distance 10cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.60 m 4.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 160 grams (0.35 pounds) 120 grams (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 200 shots 160 shots
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA LI-70B
Self timer Yes (10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $0 $190