Clicky

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ100

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Key Specs

Olympus VG-120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Successor is Panasonic FZ200
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FZ100, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the FZ100 (14MP) is relatively close and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The VG-120 was brought out 6 months later than the FZ100 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the VG-120 grades vs the FZ100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Panasonic FZ100

 VG-120 FZ100 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Olympus VG-120

 FZ100 VG-120 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FZ100

 VG-120 FZ100 
ReleasedJanuary 2011July 2010Same generation
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-120 has outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ100 has proportions of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).

Examine the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FZ100 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the VG-120 and the FZ100.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ100 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VG-120 and FZ100 is 96 and 67 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-120 and FZ100.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP and you should expect comparable quality of files however you should take the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ100 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VG-120
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ100
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
54
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Street photography advice
Panasonic FZ100 Street photography advice
48
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
58
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than average (540 grams)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ100 as a Sports photography camera
26
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (160 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Travel photography information
Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography information
62
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery life (160 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average (540g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VG-120
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ100
36
really wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery life (160 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
51
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
supports RAW files
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse function
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Vlogging info
Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging info
28
really wide (26mm)
offers face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
64
quite wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone port
slow max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than average (540g)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FZ100
 Olympus VG-120Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VG-120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-01-06 2010-07-21
Body design Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance 7cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed - 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.40 m 9.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 120 grams (0.26 pounds) 540 grams (1.19 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6")
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 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $190 $500