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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68 Imaging
37 Features
40 Overall
38

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ40 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 FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FZ40, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is fairly close and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The VG-120 was brought out 6 months after the FZ40 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the VG-120 matches up against the FZ40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Panasonic FZ40

		

		

			
 VG-120 FZ40 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus VG-120

		

		

			
 FZ40 VG-120 
Focus manually  Dial precise focusing
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FZ40

		

		

			
 VG-120 FZ40 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011July 2010Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen  No selfie screen
Touch friendly display  No Touch friendly display
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-120 has physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).
Compare the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FZ40 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the VG-120 vs the FZ40.
Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison
Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the VG-120 and FZ40 is 96 and 68 respectively.
Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Normally, it can be tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through a spec sheet. The pic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the VG-120 and FZ40.
As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP so you should expect comparable quality of photographs however you should really consider the release date  of the cameras into account.
	
			Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
 Olympus VG-120 as a Portrait photography camera
 Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
33
 decent MP (14 megapixels)
 has face detection autofocus
 no manual focus
 no manual exposure
 can't use external flash
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW format
46
 you can focus manually
 MP count decent (14 megapixels)
 delivers RAW formats
 no external flash support
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison
Olympus VG-120 Street photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography factors
48
 no moving screen
 does not have image stabilization
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW format
51
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 delivers RAW formats
 no moving screen
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 more heavy than competitors in class (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison
 Olympus VG-120 as a Sports photography camera
 Panasonic FZ40 as a Sports photography camera
26
 decent MP (14 megapixels)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 does not have image stabilization
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 terrible battery (160 CIPA)
 doesn't have phase detect autofocus
43
 great zoom range (25-600mm  24.0 x zoom)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count decent (14 megapixels)
 slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
 Olympus VG-120 as a Travel photography camera
 Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
62
 decent MP (14MP)
 flash built-in
 reasonably wide (26mm)
 does not have Time Lapse recording
 terrible battery (160 CIPA)
 doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
 MP count decent (14MP)
 built-in flash
 rather wide (25mm)
 great reach (600mm)
 lack of Timelapse mode
 more heavy than competitors in class (494g)
 does not feature selfie friendly screen
 slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography highlights
36
 reasonably wide (26mm)
 decent sized screen (3")
 decent MP (14 megapixels)
 no manual focus
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
 no manual exposure
 does not have image stabilization
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW format
 terrible battery (160 CIPA)
 does not have Time Lapse recording
51
 you can focus manually
 rather wide (25mm)
 screen size is good (3")
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count decent (14 megapixels)
 delivers RAW formats
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus VG-120 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging advice
28
 reasonably wide (26mm)
 has face detection autofocus
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
 doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
 does not have image stabilization
 low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
 does not have external mic jack
23
 rather wide (25mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
 does not feature selfie friendly screen
 low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
 lack of microphone jack
 more heavy than competitors in class (494 grams)
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus VG-120Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VG-120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-01-06 2010-07-21
Body design Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Venus Engine HD II
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 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
AF touch    
AF continuous    
Single AF    
AF tracking    
Selective AF    
Center weighted AF    
Multi area AF    
AF live view    
Face detection focusing    
Contract detection focusing    
Phase detection focusing    
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 7cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch friendly    
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash distance 4.40 m 9.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe    
AEB    
WB 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 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
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
Environmental seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 120g (0.26 lbs) 494g (1.09 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $190 $420