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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH5

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH5 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 FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS18
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH5 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus VG-120 versus Panasonic FH5, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the FH5 (16MP) is relatively close and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The VG-120 was announced at a similar time to the FH5 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the VG-120 matches up versus the FH5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Panasonic FH5

 VG-120 FH5 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Olympus VG-120

 FH5 VG-120 

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FH5

 VG-120 FH5 
ReleasedJanuary 2011January 2011Same age
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus VG-120 provides physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Panasonic FH5 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Look at the Olympus VG-120 versus Panasonic FH5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the VG-120 and the FH5.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VG-120 and FH5 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the VG-120 and FH5.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic FH5 to result in more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH5 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography factors
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Street photography camera
48
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
lighter than average in class (121 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Sports photography information
Panasonic FH5 Sports photography information
26
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (160 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Travel photography camera
62
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (160 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than average in class (121 grams)
includes focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Landscape photography camera
36
decently wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery power (160 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
38
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Vlogging camera
28
decently wide (26mm)
provides face detection focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
33
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (121g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FH5
 Olympus VG-120Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VG-120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FS18
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-06 2011-01-05
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range 7cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.40 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 120 grams (0.26 lb) 121 grams (0.27 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 160 images 260 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $190 $169