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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH3

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH3 Key Specs

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
Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS11
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH3 Overview

Below is a detailed overview of the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FH3, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the FH3 (14MP) is very close and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VG-120 was revealed 13 months later than the FH3 making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the VG-120 matches up vs the FH3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Panasonic FH3

 VG-120 FH3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011January 2010More recent by 13 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Olympus VG-120

 FH3 VG-120 

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FH3

 VG-120 FH3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH3 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus VG-120 has external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FH3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the VG-120 vs the FH3.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VG-120 and FH3 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements just by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-120 and FH3.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical MP and you should expect comparable quality of pictures although you really should factor the production date of the cameras into account. The more recent VG-120 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH3 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography details
33
MP count good (14MP)
has face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
28
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VG-120
Street photography with Panasonic FH3
48
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Sports photography features
Panasonic FH3 Sports photography features
26
MP count good (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (160 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FH3 Travel photography factors
62
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (160 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography features
Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography features
36
relatively wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery pack (160 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
37
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Vlogging features
Panasonic FH3 Vlogging features
28
relatively wide (26mm)
has face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
29
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FH3
 Olympus VG-120Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VG-120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
Other name - Lumix DMC-FS11
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-06 2010-01-06
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
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 - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing range 7cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 6.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
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 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 120 grams (0.26 lbs) 165 grams (0.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 160 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $190 $160