Olympus VG-110 vs Samsung NX2000: A Hands-On Comparison for Photographers Seeking Real Value

Choosing between two very different cameras - the budget ultracompact Olympus VG-110 and the entry-level mirrorless Samsung NX2000 - might feel like comparing apples to oranges. But for many enthusiasts and budget-conscious pros, it’s about matching features to real shooting needs without breaking the bank. Having tested both cameras extensively in various shooting scenarios and lab conditions over years, I’ll walk you through what these cameras offer, what they don’t, and which one makes more sense depending on your photographic ambitions.

Both cameras were announced within a couple of years of each other but occupy distinct corners of the camera market. The VG-110 is a simple point-and-shoot from 2011, designed to be ultra-portable and easy-to-use. The NX2000, from late 2013, is a more versatile mirrorless system with interchangeable lenses and better image quality potential - albeit at a higher price.

We’ll dive into every critical element: from sensor tech to autofocus, handling to real-world image quality, and more, peppering this article with useful images and scoring breakdowns to help you weigh the pros and cons for your needs.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Pocket-Friendly or Club for Your Thumbs?

Starting from the outside in, how these cameras feel in your hands and pockets is a dealbreaker for many shooters. The Olympus VG-110 shines in pure portability. Measuring just 92 x 54 x 20 mm and weighing a mere 105 grams, it’s the classic "carry everywhere" small camera. It sports a fixed, somewhat plasticky body with no viewfinder to speak of, relying instead on a tiny 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD.

The Samsung NX2000 is significantly larger and heavier - about 119 x 65 x 36 mm and weighing double at 228 grams - thanks to its more complex mirrorless design and interchangeable lens mount. While it lacks a traditional viewfinder as well, it does have a much larger 3.7-inch TFT LCD touchscreen with significantly higher resolution (1152K dots versus Olympus' 230K dots). Its rangefinder-style layout offers better grip and control, but it’s not your pocket buddy.

For urban street shooters or travelers prioritizing ultra-light gear, VG-110’s diminutive footprint is a winner. However, I found that after an hour of shooting landscapes or portraits, the NX2000’s larger grip and more substantial body reduce hand fatigue and offer easier button access. The Olympus feels more toy-like in-hand, which is fine for casual snaps but less so for extended sessions.

Control Layout and Interface: Simple Point-and-Shoot vs. More Sophisticated Systems

Olympus embraced simplicity for the VG-110 - there are no dials for manual control or even aperture priority or shutter priority. You get Auto mode, some flash options, and a handful of scene modes. No manual focus, no customizable buttons, no exposure compensation. The camera uses the classic TruePic III processor, which, in my experience, is dated but adequate for casual shooting.

On the other hand, the Samsung NX2000 embraces mirrorless control sophistication with manual exposure modes - aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual exposure are all supported. The controls include a directional pad, mode dial, and touchscreen support (a huge plus for navigating menus and zooming images). It supports autofocus modes including continuous AF for better action shots. And its exposure compensation and bracketing features allow creative flexibility that the Olympus simply cannot match.

Bottom line: If you want a "point, shoot, and forget" camera, Olympus is a fine, compact option with a minimal learning curve. If you enjoy tinkering with settings to hone your shots or want manual control, the NX2000 wins hands down - even if it means a steeper learning curve.

Sensors and Image Quality: Small CCD vs. Large APS-C CMOS

When it comes to image quality, sensor size and technology matter - a lot. The Olympus VG-110 packs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with a 12MP resolution. CCDs were common for compact cameras back in 2011, but their dynamic range and noise handling often lag behind modern CMOS sensors.

Samsung’s NX2000 features a much larger APS-C 23.5 x 15.7 mm CMOS sensor at 20MP - a clear advantage from the get-go. Larger sensor area means larger pixels gathering more light, better dynamic range, superior low-light performance, and overall more flexibility in post-processing.

Lab tests confirm this: The NX2000 scores an impressive 75 overall DXOMark score, with color depth at 23.4 bits and dynamic range at 12.3 EV. Olympus’s sensor hasn’t been formally tested by DXOMark, but based on similar-sized sensors of that era, dynamic range and ISO performance are notably weaker. Maximum native ISO tops out at 1600 on the VG-110 versus an impressive 25600 on the NX2000, making the latter the obvious choice for anything beyond well-lit environments.

This difference is palpable in my real-world comparisons - landscapes shot at sunset reveal more detail in shadows and less blown highlights on the NX2000. Portraits exhibit punchier skin tones and smoother bokeh (thanks also to your ability to change lenses). The Olympus tends to produce somewhat flat-looking images with limited tonal gradations and aggressive noise reduction at higher ISO.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Living with Contrast-Detect vs. Hybrid Phase-Detect

The Olympus VG-110 autofocus system is a basic contrast detection system with face detection thrown in. No continuous AF, no phase detection, and no manual focusing options - once you half-press the shutter, it hunts briefly before locking focus for the shot. This limitation causes occasional missed focus especially in low light or when shooting moving subjects.

Samsung’s NX2000 offers a more advanced contrast-detection AF system with 21 focus points and tracking AF abilities. While it doesn’t have phase-detection on sensor, careful algorithm design ensures decent lock times and subject tracking at continuous shooting speeds of up to 8 frames per second. It also supports continuous AF during video recording, a big plus for hybrid shooters.

In practical wildlife or sports shooting tests, the NX2000’s autofocus was faster and more consistent, though still not as lightning-quick as flagship mirrorless or DSLRs. Olympus struggled more with moving subjects and low-light focusing precision.

Versatility for Major Photography Genres

Let’s see how these cameras handle real-world shooting routes.

Portraits

The VG-110’s fixed lens (27-108mm equiv with aperture f/2.9-6.5) offers limited shallow depth of field possibilities. Combined with its smaller sensor, the bokeh effect is weak, and low-light skin tones can look washed out. The NX2000, on the other hand, benefits from interchangeable lenses (including fast primes like 30mm f/1.4 and 45mm f/1.8). Its APS-C sensor provides creamy background blur and excellent skin tone rendering.

Face detection autofocus on both works but NX2000’s face/eye detection is more refined and responsive. The ability to manually focus also aids precise control over portrait composition.

Landscape

Dynamic range and resolution are king here, and NX2000’s sensor holds a clear advantage. Olympus handles bright daytime landscapes tolerably but loses shadow detail under high contrast lighting. Weather sealing? Neither camera offers it, so be mindful of the elements.

Wildlife and Sports

Burst rates and AF tracking shine on the NX2000 with 8fps and continuous AF, making it able to capture fast-moving animals or athletes reasonably well (though not specialized sports cameras). Olympus’s sluggish AF and lack of continuous burst shooting handicap it here.

Street Photography

Here the VG-110 scores points for discrete size and stealth, making it easy to slip into a pocket and pop out quickly. However, slower AF can mean missed candid moments. NX2000 is more conspicuous but faster and offers touch focus for quick framing.

Macro

Olympus’s fixed lens close focusing at 1cm is convenient for casual macro shots. NX2000 macro results depend on your lens choice but manual focus plus live magnification assist offer superb precision.

Night / Astro Photography

With small sensor and limited high ISO, Olympus struggles with noise and loss of detail in dim conditions. The NX2000’s ISO 25600 ceiling, longer exposures, and better dynamic range make it far more capable for night scenes or star trails.

Video

Olympus shoots max 640x480 VGA video at 30fps - very limited in resolution and lacking any manual control or microphone input. NX2000 offers Full HD 1080p at 30fps, 24fps video options, and H.264/MPEG-4 encoding. No mic input or headphone jack here, so video enthusiasts will want to look higher up the chain, but it’s still respectable for casual video use.

Travel and General Purpose

The Olympus edges out as a grab-and-go camera that won’t weigh you down during travel. Battery life is modest at 170 shots. The NX2000, while bigger and pricier (~$599 vs $150), doubles battery life with 340 shots and swaps lenses to match all travel scenarios.

Professional Use

Neither camera is truly professional grade. The NX2000’s RAW support, manual control, and superior IQ make it a solid entry-level option for aspiring pros or content creators on a budget. Olympus’s JPEG-only, inflexible shooting limits serious workflow integration.

Build Quality and Weatherproofing

Both cameras lack weather sealing, dustproofing, or rugged builds. The Olympus body feels flimsier with its plastic shell, while the NX2000’s shell is more robust but still no match for tough outdoor conditions.

Connectivity and Storage

Both cameras offer SD card support, but the NX2000 uses MicroSD, and Olympus uses SD/SDHC. NX2000 includes Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling smartphone sharing and wireless control - a big convenience advantage over the Olympus, which has no wireless features.

Neither has GPS built in, but NX2000 offers optional GPS support via an accessory.

Battery, Storage, and Other Practical Considerations

• Battery Life: NX2000 at 340 shots vs Olympus VG-110 at 170 shots means fewer battery swaps or power banks on the go.
• Storage: Both cameras support single card slots; Olympus uses standard SD/SDHC cards, which are a little more common than MicroSD used by NX2000.
• Ports: NX2000 includes HDMI output and USB 2.0, Olympus only USB 2.0. Neither camera supports microphone input or headphone monitoring for video.

Image Samples and Scores at a Glance

Let the images speak for themselves. The sample gallery comparisons show the superior detail, dynamic range, and color pop of the Samsung NX2000 over the Olympus VG-110 in pretty much every category.

Olympus VG 110 front Olympus VG 110 screen back Samsung NX2000 screen back

And here’s where numbers agree with experience:

Digging deeper into genre-specific performance:

Where Each Camera Shines – Pros and Cons

Olympus VG-110

Pros:

• Ultra-compact, pocketable design, easy to carry everywhere
• Simple to use with minimal menus for absolute beginners
• Affordable price point (~$150) for budget-conscious buyers
• Decent macro focusing capability at 1cm
• Built-in flash with several modes

Cons:

• Small CCD sensor with noisy images, limited dynamic range
• No manual controls or RAW support
• Sluggish autofocus, no continuous shooting
• Low-res video limited to 640x480
• No wireless connectivity
• Poor battery life

Samsung NX2000

Pros:

• Large APS-C CMOS sensor offering excellent image quality and dynamic range
• Interchangeable lens mount with extensive lens ecosystem (32 lenses available)
• Full manual control modes for creative shooting
• Fast continuous shooting (8fps) and continuous autofocus
• Full HD video with advanced codecs
• Touchscreen interface and Wi-Fi/NFC wireless features
• Longer battery life and MicroSD card compatibility

Cons:

• Larger and heavier, less pocketable
• No viewfinder (EVF) and limited external flashes options included
• No microphone/headphone ports for advanced video work
• More expensive (~$599), reflecting extra features

My Recommendations: Who Should Pick Which?

If you want the simplest, smallest camera to slip in your pocket for casual social snaps, macro close-ups, or vacation photos without fuss or the temptation to fiddle with settings, the Olympus VG-110 is a fine no-frills option - especially if your budget is under $200. It’s a good travel buddy for cheapskates or beginners who just want a straightforward snapshot camera and minimal fuss.

However, if you’re serious about image quality, want the flexibility to explore manual settings, venture into multiple photography genres (portraits, landscapes, street, wildlife, travel), or even dabble with HD video, then the Samsung NX2000 is by far the better investment. It’s not a professional workhorse but delivers excellent bang for buck as an entry-level mirrorless.

Wrapping Up

Both cameras occupy very different spaces but reflect Olympus and Samsung’s strengths and priorities during the early 2010s. The VG-110 trades power and complexity for convenience and affordability, while the NX2000 sacrifices portability for creative control and image quality.

Think carefully about how you shoot, what you want to capture, and how much you want to spend. The Samsung NX2000 is a clear winner technically and creatively - especially if you value future lens upgrades and better workflow integration. Olympus’s VG-110 remains an occasional pocketable shooter when you want to travel light and shoot simple memories.

Remember to test the ergonomics in store if you can - handling comfort can make or break your photo-outs. And don’t underestimate the value of a well-curated lens collection paired with the NX system down the line.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera choice bring you both joy and stunning images!

If you want to explore more cameras tailored to your shooting style, drop a note - I’m always happy to nerd out over gear and help find your perfect photographic companion.