Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-120
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56
96 Imaging
36 Features
24 Overall
31
Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-120 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Launched May 2013
- Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
(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
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-120 Overview
Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus VG-120, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact and they are both designed by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the VG-120 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and VG-120 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe E-PM2 was manufactured 2 years after the VG-120 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-PM2 grades versus the VG-120 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Photography Glossary Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-120 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM2 & Olympus VG-120. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery & Olympus VG-120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus VG-120
| E-PM2 | VG-120 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | May 2013 | January 2011 | Newer by 29 months | |
| Manual focus | More precise focusing | |||
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) | |
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Olympus E-PM2
| VG-120 | E-PM2 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus VG-120
| E-PM2 | VG-120 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Absent selfie screen |
Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM2 offers external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Olympus VG-120 has proportions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus VG-120 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PM2 vs the VG-120.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and VG-120 is 89 and 96 respectively.
Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison
Often, its tough to see the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at technical specs. The pic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and VG-120.
As you have seen, each of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 featuring a bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-PM2 will give you more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The newer E-PM2 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.
Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Olympus VG-120 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Olympus |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Olympus VG-120 |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Ultracompact |
| Launched | 2013-05-21 | 2011-01-06 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Ultracompact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | - | TruePic III |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
| Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
| Highest native ISO | 25600 | 1600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 200 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 35 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | - | 26-130mm (5.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | - | f/2.8-6.5 |
| Macro focus range | - | 7cm |
| Available lenses | 107 | - |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 4s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 8.0 frames per sec | - |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | 4.40 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250s | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | 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 | 269 gr (0.59 pounds) | 120 gr (0.26 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 72 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | 22.7 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 12.2 | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | 932 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 360 pictures | 160 pictures |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | BLS-5 | LI-70B |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Price at release | $448 | $190 |