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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus VG-120

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Olympus VG-120 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus VG-120 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-3
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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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus VG-120 Overview

Below is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-5 and Olympus VG-120, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Ultracompact and both are produced by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the VG-120 (14MP) is very comparable but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and VG-120 (1/2.3") boast different sensor measurements.

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The E-5 was released around the same time to the VG-120 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the E-5 grades versus the VG-120 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Olympus VG-120

 E-5 VG-120 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Olympus E-5

 VG-120 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Olympus VG-120

 E-5 VG-120 
RevealedFebruary 2011January 2011Same generation
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-5 features physical measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Olympus VG-120 has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-5 and Olympus VG-120 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-5 against the VG-120.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus VG-120 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and VG-120 is 58 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus VG-120 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements purely by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph below will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and VG-120.

As you can see, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-5 featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Olympus VG-120 will provide extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively.

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus VG-120 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography factors
Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography factors
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
provides face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Street photography camera
71
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
48
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-5
Sports photography with Olympus VG-120
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (5.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
26
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery power (160 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography info
Olympus VG-120 Travel photography info
56
weather proof
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
62
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery power (160 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Landscape photography camera
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
MP count low (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
36
rather wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery power (160 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging factors
Olympus VG-120 Vlogging factors
64
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
does have mic support
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
28
rather wide (26mm)
provides face detection focus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
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Olympus E-5 vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Olympus VG-120
 Olympus E-5Olympus VG-120
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-5 Olympus VG-120
Category Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Announced 2011-02-03 2011-01-06
Body design Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V+ TruePic III
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 7cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 800 grams (1.76 lb) 120 grams (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 shots 160 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-5 LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots Two 1
Launch cost $1,700 $190