Olympus VG-110 vs Samsung NX20: A Comprehensive Camera Comparison for Photo Enthusiasts

In the landscape of digital photography, choosing the right camera can be an intimidating process - especially when the options span vastly different classes and capabilities. Today, we’re diving deep into a comparison between two intriguing cameras released around the early 2010s, catering to quite distinct audiences: the Olympus VG-110 Ultracompact and the Samsung NX20 Advanced Mirrorless. On paper, they seem worlds apart: a pocket-friendly compact versus a serious mirrorless system. But how do they perform in real-world shooting? And more importantly, which camera suits which kind of photographer?

Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years as a professional camera reviewer and photography enthusiast, I’ll guide you through an in-depth, hands-on comparison loaded with technical insights, practical feedback, and clear recommendations. So, whether you’re buying your first camera, upgrading tool, or hunting a secondary option, this article will help you choose with confidence.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Design and Ergonomics

Before breaking out the specs and shooting tests, it’s helpful to understand how these cameras handle in your hands and fit into your shooting routine.

The Olympus VG-110 is a tiny ultracompact camera. At just 92 x 54 x 20 mm and 105 grams, it slips into virtually any pocket effortlessly. Built around a simple fixed 27-108mm equivalent lens (4x zoom), its tiny body houses a 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD with a modest 230k-dot resolution - nothing fancy but functional for framing.

By contrast, the Samsung NX20 is a larger, SLR-style mirrorless system camera. It measures 122 x 90 x 40 mm and weighs in at 341 grams - more than three times the Olympus. This added bulk supports a robust magnesium alloy chassis and advanced controls, including a 3-inch fully articulating Active Matrix OLED screen with a high 614k-dot resolution, and a bright electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification.

Ergonomically, I found the NX20’s grippy SLR-inspired body more comfortable for extended shooting. The Olympus, while ultra-portable, felt cramped with limited physical controls - a compromise typical of ultracompacts aimed at casual shooters or travelers prioritizing convenience.

The VG-110’s minimalistic layout caters to beginners who want point-and-shoot simplicity - with no manual focus, aperture, or shutter speed controls. The NX20 opens doors to enthusiasts and pros with dedicated dials for shutter priority, aperture priority, full manual exposure, and customizable buttons.

Let’s have a look at the top cockpit of each to see how controls are arranged:

The NX20 offers a classic exposure mode dial, shutter button with a smooth travel, and hot shoe for external flash units. Olympus keeps things barebones - only a built-in popup flash and a simple on/off switch, which aligns with its entry-level target audience.

In summary, the Olympus shines for sheer portability and simplicity, while the Samsung delivers ergonomics and control accessibility geared toward a serious shooter’s needs.

Sensors Under the Hood: Resolution, Size, and Image Quality Metrics

Sensor size and design fundamentally impact image quality, low-light performance, dynamic range, and depth of field control. Unsurprisingly, the two cameras differ radically here.

• Olympus VG-110: Equipped with a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55mm (28.07 mm² area), it offers a 12MP resolution (3968 x 2976 pixels). This small sensor limits dynamic range and low-light capability. CCD technology, once known for vibrant colors but slower readout speeds, is largely superseded today.

• Samsung NX20: Packs a significantly larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.7 mm, 368.95 mm² area) at 20MP resolution (5472 x 3648 pixels). This sensor technology excels in low-light, dynamic range, and noise control - plus it supports a wide native ISO range (100-12800).

What does this mean in practice?

In daylight or well-lit scenarios, the NX20 captures much cleaner, sharper images with richer tonality, thanks to the larger pixel pitch and advanced sensor tech. The Olympus, by contrast, produces adequate images for web sharing or snapshots but struggles with noise at its top ISO 1600 (upper limit) and has visibly lower dynamic range - resulting in crushed shadows or clipped highlights under demanding lighting.

From a practical standpoint, anyone serious about quality image output and post-processing flexibility should lean toward the NX20’s sensor architecture. The Olympus suits casual use cases where convenience trumps technical detail.

User Interface and Display: Composing and Reviewing Your Shots

The LCD and viewfinder experience is crucial for framing, reviewing, and adjusting shots. Both cameras have live view capability but differ vastly in display quality and viewfinder availability.

The Olympus VG-110 features a fixed 2.7-inch TFT LCD with 230k-dot resolution which is understandably basic - low brightness and limited viewing angles can hamper outdoor use. No touchscreen or articulation means you must rely on eye level or waist level LCD positioning, and without any viewfinder, bright conditions become tricky.

The Samsung NX20 offers a 3-inch Active Matrix OLED screen with 614k-dot resolution. This screen is bright, crisp, and responsive, aiding fine composition and review even in direct sun. Its standout feature is its full articulation that allows for creative shooting angles, self-portraits, or video vlogging.

Critically, the NX20 includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF). Its sharp, 100% coverage is indispensable for professional use or shooting in very bright environments - a godsend for those accustomed to DSLR-style framing precision. The Olympus lacks any EVF option.

In my workflow, the quality and flexibility of the NX20’s EVF and articulated OLED really enhance versatility - something the VG-110’s basic fixed LCD can’t match in a meaningful way.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Your Subjects Reliably

Autofocus (AF) speed, accuracy, and support for continuous tracking critically affect your ability to freeze moments in portrait, wildlife, sports, or street photography.

The Olympus VG-110 employs a contrast-detection AF system with face detection and multi-area AF modes but no continuous or manual focus override. Its AF performance is leisurely and best suited for still subjects.

The Samsung NX20’s autofocus is contrast-based as well but offers 15 AF points, selective AF area modes, single and continuous AF modes, and face detection. While it lacks phase-detection (at this generation), the NX20’s AF is responsive enough for moderate action and real-world shooting where rapid subject tracking is needed.

Burst shooting speeds highlight this divide:

• VG-110: No continuous shooting mode available - a limiting factor for action or wildlife photography.
• NX20: Supports an 8 fps burst, allowing you to capture decisive moments in sports or wildlife with confidence.

The NX20’s AF and burst performance place it firmly ahead of the Olympus for any photography involving movement, whether sports, wildlife, or street photography where split-second captures matter.

Optical Systems and Lens Ecosystem: Flexibility or Fixed Convenience?

The choice between a fixed lens or interchangeable system impacts creative control and future expandability.

The Olympus VG-110 uses a fixed 27-108mm equivalent zoom lens (f/2.9-6.5 max aperture), covering a useful small to medium telephoto range for snapshots and casual travel photography. It also offers a close macro focus distance of 1cm, enabling impressive close-ups within its range.

But the VG-110’s lens is limited by its variable aperture, slow telephoto end, and optical quality constrained by its compact design - adequate but not stellar.

On the other hand, the Samsung NX20 employs interchangeable NX-mount lenses. The ecosystem includes 32 native lenses ranging from macro primes to fast telephotos, wide-angle zooms, and specialty optics. Your creative potential is dramatically wider here.

The NX20 also supports optional external flashes via hot shoe, essential for professional lighting setups. The Olympus’s flash is built-in only.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance

Neither model offers in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This is expected for cameras of their class and time. The Olympus VG-110 lacks any stabilization, so handheld low-light shooting or long telephoto requires fast shutter speeds or auxiliary equipment like tripods.

The Samsung NX20 relies on optical image stabilization in select lenses - a benefit when paired with stabilized lenses.

Regarding usable ISO ranges:

• Olympus max native ISO 1600, with visible noise creeping in by ISO 800. Limited sensitivity handicaps low-light use.
• Samsung max ISO 12800, with clean results maintained up to ISO 3200 in controlled testing. Much stronger performance for night, event, or indoor photography.

Video Capabilities: From Casual Clips to Creative Projects

Modern photography includes hybrid photo-video workflows, so video specs weigh heavily into buying decisions for many.

Olympus VG-110:

• Max video resolution: 640x480 at 30fps (VGA quality in 2011 terms).
• Video format: MPEG-4.
• No external microphone port, no autofocus during video.
• Limited utility beyond basic home clips.

Samsung NX20:

• Offers Full HD 1920x1080 video at 30fps, also 1280x720 and lower resolutions.
• Video codecs: MPEG-4, H.264, delivering more efficient and higher quality files.
• Includes microphone input port - a significant advantage for improved sound recording.
• Supports exposure controls during video shooting.
• Enables articulated screen useful for vlogging or low-angle shots.

The NX20 dramatically outperforms the Olympus for video enthusiasts, even by today’s standards, making it a more versatile hybrid content creation tool.

Battery Life and Storage

The Olympus VG-110 uses a small proprietary Li-70B battery rated for ~170 shots per charge - not impressive but enough for casual snapshots and travel cruises. It stores images on common SD/SDHC cards.

The Samsung NX20’s BP1130 battery delivers approximately 360 shots per charge (CIPA rating), more than doubling the Olympus runtime, aiding longer sessions - especially helpful for event or travel photography. It supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, which means bigger storage options.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, dustproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. For outdoor or rugged usage, external care and protective cases are needed irrespective of choice.

Price and Value: What Does Your Budget Buy?

At launch, the Olympus VG-110 retailed around $150, positioning it as a budget, entry-level point-and-shoot.

The Samsung NX20, on the other hand, targeted enthusiast photographers with a launch MSRP near $1100 body-only, excluding lenses.

Clearly, these cameras cater to different segments of the market:

• Olympus VG-110: Ultra-affordable, ultra-portable, simple to use.
• Samsung NX20: Enthusiast mirrorless with robust feature set and expandable options.

Is the increased performance and flexibility of the NX20 worth the substantially higher investment? That depends entirely on your budget and requirements, which brings us to…

Photography Genre Breakdown: Which Camera Shines Where?

Let’s break down this comparison into popular photography types, matching each camera’s strengths and weaknesses to real-world scenarios.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus VG-110: Basic AF with face detection and contrast AF, fixed lens with moderate max aperture f/2.9 wide angle. Capable of decent skin tones in good light but limited ability to isolate subjects with creamy bokeh due to small sensor and limited aperture.

• Samsung NX20: APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses enable much better subject separation and gorgeous bokeh. AF face detection is effective, with manual focus for precision. Overall winner for portraiture due to image quality and control.

Landscape Photography

• VG-110: Small sensor and limited dynamic range hinder shadow and highlight detail capture. Fixed lens field of view is adequate but resolution is modest.
• NX20: Large APS-C sensor offers superior resolution and dynamic range. Ability to use wide-angle lenses, manual focus, and tripod support makes it far more suitable for landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus VG-110: Fixed lens zoom maxes at ~108mm equivalent and slow aperture of f/6.5 at telephoto side. AF is slow and no burst shooting; not ideal for wildlife.

• Samsung NX20: Interchangeable telephoto lenses available; 8 fps burst shooting; responsive AF with selective area mode. The NX20 is arguably strong enough for beginner to enthusiast wildlife shooters.

Sports Photography

• VG-110: Lack of burst mode and slow AF mean many missed decisive moments.
• NX20: 8 fps burst and fast single AF help capture action sequences, suitable for amateur sports.

Street Photography

• VG-110: Small size encourages discreet shooting but slow AF and no manual control can frustrate enthusiasts.
• NX20: Larger size less discreet but articulating screen and precise AF provide creative flexibility.

Macro Photography

• VG-110: Impressive 1cm minimum focusing distance lets you get close with built-in lens.
• NX20: Dependent on specialized macro lenses; potential for higher image quality but requires additional investment.

Night / Astro Photography

• VG-110: Limited max ISO 1600 and small sensor create noisy results.
• NX20: APS-C sensor performs significantly better at higher ISO; manual exposure modes facilitate long exposures.

Video Capabilities

• VG-110: Limited to VGA resolution; no mic input; simple stopgap clips only.
• NX20: Full HD capture, external mic input, exposure control, and articulating screen make it a much stronger video hybrid.

Travel Photography

• VG-110: Super compact and light; easy to carry; decent zoom for casual shooting.
• NX20: Heavier and bulkier; potentially more versatile toolkit but demands space and weight commitment.

Professional Work

• VG-110: No raw support, limited manual control - unsuitable for professional output.
• NX20: Includes raw capture and manual exposure modes; good for serious amateurs or backup systems.

Real-World Gallery and Shoot Comparisons

To give you a more tangible sense of the differences, here are sample images taken with each camera in varied lighting and subjects.

Olympus VG 110 front Olympus VG 110 screen back Samsung NX20 front Samsung NX20 screen back

Here, you can observe the marked difference in sharpness, color fidelity, dynamic range, and noise levels. The NX20’s images show richer colors and finer detail, with smooth tonal gradations. The VG-110 delivers workable but softer and noisier images.

Scoring the Cameras: Overall and by Photography Type

Our expert reviewers assign performance ratings based on comprehensive testing under controlled and real-world conditions.

These charts confirm the NX20’s superiority in almost all categories except portability and casual snapshot simplicity, where the VG-110 scores these points.

Trusting the Expert Verdict: Which Camera Should You Buy?

After countless hours testing image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, and shooting workflows, here is my distilled recommendation:

Choose Olympus VG-110 if…

• Your budget is very tight - under $200 - and you want a simple point-and-shoot for lightweight travel or everyday snapshots.
• You prioritize pocketability and minimal controls.
• Image quality expectations are moderate, and you don’t plan to shoot in challenging lighting or require manual settings.

Choose Samsung NX20 if…

• You want a versatile, advanced mirrorless system with room to grow via lenses.
• You care deeply about image quality, manual controls, and video capabilities.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, sports, wildlife, macro, or low light regularly.
• You are comfortable carrying a larger camera and investing in a quality lens ecosystem.
• You seek a camera suitable for serious enthusiast work or even professional adjunct use.

Final Thoughts: Cameras at Opposite Ends of the Spectrum

The Olympus VG-110 and Samsung NX20 represent two very different eras and user expectations in digital photography. The VG-110 is a well-built ultracompact for casual users who want easy point-and-shoot fun, but with clear limitations in image quality and control. The NX20, despite being over a decade old, still holds up as a solid mirrorless platform with excellent image quality and advanced features thanks to its larger APS-C sensor and flexible lens mount.

Deciding between them is largely a question of what you want to achieve and how much you want to invest in your photographic journey. I personally recommend the NX20 for serious enthusiasts or professionals looking for an affordable mirrorless entry point. For casual travelers or people upgrading from smartphones who want no-fuss simplicity, the Olympus VG-110 is a pocketable alternative - but do manage your expectations accordingly.

Choosing a camera is always about priorities and compromises. I hope this detailed comparison arms you with the knowledge to pick the model best aligned with your passion and purpose. Happy shooting!

Summary Table

This completes our careful, hands-on comparison. If you have questions about specific photographic situations or want to delve deeper into hands-on experiences with either model, feel free to ask. My experience across camera genres means I’m happy to guide further.