Nikon S230 vs Olympus VG-120
96 Imaging
33 Features
21 Overall
28


96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Nikon S230 vs Olympus VG-120 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 2000
- Digital Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 115g - 91 x 57 x 20mm
- Launched February 2009
(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

Nikon S230 vs Olympus VG-120 Overview
Here is a extensive overview of the Nikon S230 versus Olympus VG-120, both Ultracompact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the S230 (10MP) and VG-120 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The S230 was announced 23 months prior to the VG-120 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the S230 grades vs the VG-120 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon S230 vs Olympus VG-120 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix S230 & Olympus VG-120. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon S230 Gallery & Olympus VG-120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S230 over the Olympus VG-120
S230 | VG-120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Nikon S230
VG-120 | S230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 23 months |
Common features in the Nikon S230 and Olympus VG-120
S230 | VG-120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Nikon S230 vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon S230 provides outside dimensions of 91mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 115 grams (0.25 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).
Contrast the Nikon S230 versus Olympus VG-120 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the S230 versus the VG-120.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S230 and VG-120 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S230 vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing simply by checking specs. The visual below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the S230 and VG-120.
As you can plainly see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus VG-120 to give extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The older S230 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S230 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S230 vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S230 | Olympus VG-120 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Olympus |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S230 | Olympus VG-120 |
Type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Launched | 2009-02-03 | 2011-01-06 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | TruePic III |
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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4288 x 3216 |
Max native ISO | 2000 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 35-105mm (3.0x) | 26-130mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/2.8-6.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 10cm | 7cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 seconds | 4 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 11.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 4.40 m |
Flash options | Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 115 grams (0.25 pounds) | 120 grams (0.26 pounds) |
Dimensions | 91 x 57 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | - | 160 photos |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL10 | LI-70B |
Self timer | Yes (3 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $150 | $190 |