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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FS15

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FS15 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
  • Introduced January 2011
Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FS15 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Olympus VG-120 versus Panasonic FS15, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the FS15 (12MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VG-120 was unveiled 24 months later than the FS15 making them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the VG-120 scores vs the FS15 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Panasonic FS15

 VG-120 FS15 
LaunchedJanuary 2011January 2009Fresher by 24 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Olympus VG-120

 FS15 VG-120 

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FS15

 VG-120 FS15 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FS15 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus VG-120 offers exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Panasonic FS15 has measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check out the Olympus VG-120 versus Panasonic FS15 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the VG-120 and the FS15.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FS15 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VG-120 and FS15 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FS15 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over specifications. The photograph underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-120 and FS15.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus VG-120 to offer greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent VG-120 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VG-120
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS15
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Street photography details
Panasonic FS15 Street photography details
48
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Sports photography camera
26
MP count decent (14MP)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (160 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VG-120
Travel photography with Panasonic FS15
62
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low battery pack (160 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Landscape photography camera
36
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery pack (160 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Vlogging information
Panasonic FS15 Vlogging information
28
reasonably wide (26mm)
has face detect focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FS15
 Olympus VG-120Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VG-120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-01-06 2009-01-16
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 29-145mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 7cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.40 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 120 gr (0.26 lbs) 136 gr (0.30 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
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 -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $190 $180