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Nikon S3000 vs Olympus VG-120

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix S3000 front
 
Olympus VG-120 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon S3000 vs Olympus VG-120 Key Specs

Nikon S3000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 27-108mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 116g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched February 2010
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
  • Announced January 2011
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Nikon S3000 vs Olympus VG-120 Overview

Here is a complete overview of the Nikon S3000 versus Olympus VG-120, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the S3000 (12MP) and the VG-120 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S3000 was released 11 months prior to the VG-120 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the S3000 grades versus the VG-120 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3000 over the Olympus VG-120

 S3000 VG-120 

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Nikon S3000

 VG-120 S3000 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011February 2010Fresher by 11 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S3000 and Olympus VG-120

 S3000 VG-120 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon S3000 vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon S3000 enjoys outside dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 116 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Olympus VG-120 has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Nikon S3000 versus Olympus VG-120 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the S3000 against the VG-120.

Nikon S3000 vs Olympus VG-120 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S3000 and VG-120 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S3000 vs Olympus VG-120 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3000 vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3000 and VG-120.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus VG-120 to provide more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older S3000 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S3000 vs Olympus VG-120 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3000 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3000 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3000 Portrait photography advice
Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography advice
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S3000
Street photography with Olympus VG-120
48
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
48
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3000 Sports photography features
Olympus VG-120 Sports photography features
17
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
26
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (160 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3000 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Travel photography camera
58
has built in flash
rather wide (27mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
62
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (160 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3000 Landscape photography info
Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography info
28
rather wide (27mm)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
36
rather wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery power (160 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3000 Vlogging details
Olympus VG-120 Vlogging details
26
rather wide (27mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
28
rather wide (26mm)
includes face detection focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
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Nikon S3000 vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3000 and Olympus VG-120
 Nikon Coolpix S3000Olympus VG-120
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix S3000 Olympus VG-120
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2010-02-03 2011-01-06
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 TruePic III
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 27-108mm (4.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 8cm 7cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 116g (0.26 lb) 120g (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 - 160 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL10 LI-70B
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $150 $190