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Nikon S3100 vs Olympus VG-120

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
 
Olympus VG-120 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon S3100 vs Olympus VG-120 Key Specs

Nikon S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Introduced February 2011
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
  • Announced January 2011
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Nikon S3100 vs Olympus VG-120 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Nikon S3100 and Olympus VG-120, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the S3100 (14MP) and the VG-120 (14MP) is pretty similar and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S3100 was announced 2 months later than the VG-120 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the S3100 matches up versus the VG-120 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Olympus VG-120

 S3100 VG-120 

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Nikon S3100

 VG-120 S3100 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S3100 and Olympus VG-120

 S3100 VG-120 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011January 2011Similar generation
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon S3100 vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon S3100 comes with outer dimensions of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Olympus VG-120 has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S3100 and Olympus VG-120 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the S3100 against the VG-120.

Nikon S3100 vs Olympus VG-120 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S3100 and VG-120 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S3100 vs Olympus VG-120 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading technical specs. The photograph underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3100 and VG-120.

As you can tell, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photographs but you should factor the release date of the products into consideration.

Nikon S3100 vs Olympus VG-120 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3100 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3100 Portrait photography factors
Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography factors
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S3100 Street photography info
Olympus VG-120 Street photography info
48
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
48
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3100 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Sports photography camera
32
good MP (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
26
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery power (160 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3100 Travel photography advice
Olympus VG-120 Travel photography advice
65
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
62
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse recording
low battery power (160 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3100 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Landscape photography camera
33
decently wide (26mm)
good MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
36
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery power (160 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3100 Vlogging factors
Olympus VG-120 Vlogging factors
28
decently wide (26mm)
offers face detection focus
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
28
reasonably wide (26mm)
has face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic socket
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Nikon S3100 vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3100 and Olympus VG-120
 Nikon Coolpix S3100Olympus VG-120
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Coolpix S3100 Olympus VG-120
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-02-09 2011-01-06
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus range 10cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.50 m 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 118 gr (0.26 lb) 120 gr (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") 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 220 photos 160 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL19 LI-70B
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $139 $190