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Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
 
Olympus VG-120 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120 Key Specs

Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Announced January 2014
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
  • Revealed January 2011
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Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact and both are manufactured by Olympus. The image resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the VG-120 (14MP) is pretty close and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-100 was introduced 3 years later than the VG-120 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SP-100 grades vs the VG-120 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Olympus VG-120

 SP-100 VG-120 
RevealedJanuary 2014January 2011Fresher by 38 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Olympus SP-100

 VG-120 SP-100 

Common features in the Olympus SP-100 and Olympus VG-120

 SP-100 VG-120 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-100 offers external dimensions of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") accompanied by a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Olympus VG-120 has dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the SP-100 compared to the VG-120.

Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-100 and VG-120 is 63 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing purely by looking through specs. The photograph below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-100 and VG-120.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should expect the Olympus SP-100 to render extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern SP-100 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Portrait photography factors
Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography factors
44
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Street photography info
Olympus VG-120 Street photography info
42
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (594g)
48
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Sports photography highlights
Olympus VG-120 Sports photography highlights
53
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
26
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery (160 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Travel photography information
Olympus VG-120 Travel photography information
53
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (594 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.9)
62
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
no Timelapse recording
low battery (160 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography highlights
47
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
36
really wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
low battery (160 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Vlogging features
Olympus VG-120 Vlogging features
29
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone port
slow max aperture (f2.9)
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (594 grams)
28
really wide (26mm)
offers face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone jack
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Olympus SP-100 vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-100 and Olympus VG-120
 Olympus Stylus SP-100Olympus VG-120
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-100 Olympus VG-120
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 2014-01-29 2011-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic III
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.9-6.5 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 920k dot -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 594 grams (1.31 lbs) 120 grams (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") 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 330 shots 160 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $400 $190