Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic GF5: A Thorough Hands-On Comparison for Camera Buyers

Choosing between cameras can feel like picking clubs from an entire bag when you’re just trying to shoot better pictures. As someone who’s personally tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years, I know firsthand how technical specifications on paper can translate - or fail to - in the real world. Today, I’m comparing two distinctly different cameras: the ultracompact Olympus VG-120, a bite-sized point-and-shoot from early 2011, and the entry-level mirrorless Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 from 2012.

Both target casual photographers entering the scene, but they approach photography from wildly different angles. With hands-on testing and pixel-peeping, I want to guide you on which might work best, tailored to your photography style and budget. Let’s start by sizing them up - literally.

Size Matters: Ergonomics and Handling In-Depth

If you prize absolute pocketability, Olympus VG-120 is the clear winner. It’s a featherweight, ultracompact beast, weighing in at a mere 120g and measuring a mere 96 x 57 x 19 mm. Perfect for slipping into a coat pocket or a purse, it’s designed for photographers who despise bulky gear and want snap-it-anytime convenience.

By contrast, the Panasonic GF5 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, tipping the scales more than double at 267g and sporting dimensions of 108 x 67 x 37 mm. This is still quite compact for a mirrorless system body, but it’s not pocketable unless you have very large pockets or a roomy handbag. The GF5’s size is more “compact camera you hold like a traditional camera” than “throw it in your jeans coin pocket.”

Ergonomically, the GF5 sports a more substantial grip and clubs for thumbs, making it better for prolonged use or handling heavier lenses. Olympus’s VG-120, in contrast, offers a minimal grip that’s fine for quick street shoots or vacation snaps but less suited to deliberate shooting.

Design and Control Layout: Who’s in Command?

Looking at the top plate, the VG-120 keeps it ultra simple. There’s the power button, a shutter release, a zoom rocker, and a tiny mode dial that gives you minimal control options. No manual exposure modes or priority modes here, just point-and-shoot basics. The rear displays a fixed 3” TFT LCD that’s functional but very low-res by today’s standards.

The GF5 ups the ante with a more engaged shooter in mind. Its top layout includes a command dial, a mode dial for shutter/aperture priority and manual exposure - a clear sign this is a camera for enthusiasts willing to learn the ropes. The 3” LCD screen is noticeably sharper, touch-enabled for quick adjustments, and has wide viewing angles to ease composition in bright light or awkward positions. More buttons and intuitive control dials help the GF5 feel like a true camera in your hands rather than a glorified compact.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: Size Does Matter

The paramount difference lies in the sensors. Olympus’s VG-120 relies on a tiny 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with 14 megapixels. CCD sensors were once praised for image quality but have since been eclipsed by CMOS due to speed, noise control, and video capability gains. The VG-120’s small sensor means it struggles with noise at anything above ISO 400 and lacks the dynamic range to preserve highlight and shadow detail in contrast-rich scenes.

Panasonic’s GF5, on the other hand, wields a much larger Four Thirds CMOS sensor at 17.3 x 13 mm with 12 megapixels - fewer megapixels, but much greater pixel size, which translates to better light gathering and image quality overall. In real-world shooting, the GF5 produces cleaner images at high ISOs (up to ISO 1600 is usable), richer colors, and noticeably improved shadow recovery, thanks partly to superior image processing with the Venus FHD engine.

The GF5’s sensor also supports RAW shooting, unlocking game-changing flexibility in post-processing that the VG-120, limited to JPEGs only, simply cannot match.

Overall, the GF5 wins hands down if clean, professional-looking images matter to you.

LCD Screens and User Interface: Touch vs Basic

Both cameras pack a 3” rear LCD, but the GF5’s advantage lies in resolution and touchscreen interaction. The Panasonic offers a sharply detailed screen at 920k dots vs. the Olympus’s paltry 230k dots. I tested both under bright sunlight, and the GF5’s display was a joy to frame compositions with, while the VG-120’s screen looked washed out and hard to discern fine details.

Touch functionality on the GF5 streamlines tasks like autofocus point selection and menu navigation - a welcome relief for users frustrated by tiny buttons or simple navigation wheels. The VG-120 relies entirely on button control with a basic menu system that feels dated.

Shooting Speed and Autofocus: Catching the Moment

The Olympus VG-120 takes a frontal approach with a fixed lens and a simple contrast-detection autofocus system. There is face detection, but no continuous autofocus or tracking of moving subjects. Burst shooting is absent, and shutter speeds are limited to 1/2000 sec at the top end, which may curtail freezing fast action under certain conditions.

The Panasonic GF5 shines in this arena with a faster Venus Engine processor supporting continuous autofocus, face and multi-area AF modes, and a 4 frames-per-second burst mode. For anyone interested in sports, wildlife, or fast-moving subjects, the GF5’s autofocus system offers a significant advantage. Although it lacks on-sensor phase detection AF common in more expensive mirrorless models, the contrast-detect system here provides respectable speed and accuracy - especially for its price point.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: Fixed Lens vs Micro Four Thirds

Here Olympus and Panasonic diverge philosophically.

The VG-120’s fixed 26-130 mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens delivers 5x optical zoom - a decent range for general shooting but not stellar in low light given its F2.8-6.5 variable max aperture. The fixed lens means no lens swapping, limiting creative control and specialty applications. Macro mode focuses down to 7cm, which suffices for casual close-ups but lacks DSLR/mirrorless-grade precision.

The GF5 accepts all Micro Four Thirds lenses - an extensive ecosystem with over 100 lenses ranging from affordable primes to pro zooms, macro optics, and fast aperture glass. This flexibility is invaluable for enthusiasts and professionals who want to tailor their lens choice to portraits, landscapes, macro, or wildlife. The GF5’s smaller sensor size (crop factor ~2.1x) means lenses deliver versatile equivalent focal lengths without bulk.

If lens versatility and image quality optics excite you, the Panasonic GF5 is a far stronger contender here.

Flash, Stabilization and Exposure Control

Both cameras have built-in flash units - the Olympus’s has a 4.4m range, while the GF5’s is rated at 6.3m and offers slow sync modes for balanced fill flash.

Neither camera features in-body image stabilization (IBIS) - a weakness especially considering the VG-120’s narrow apertures that may require exposure compensation. The GF5 depends on lens-based optical stabilization.

The GF5 lets you experiment with aperture/shutter priority and manual modes - massive advantages for learning exposure control and achieving creative effects. Olympus’s VG-120 offers no manual exposure modes, limiting user control.

Video Functionality: Casual vs Semi-Pro Visions

The VG-120’s motion JPEG video tops out at just 720p and 30 fps - enough for casual family videos but lacking in quality and file efficiency.

The GF5 adds 1080p Full HD recording at 50/60 fps, delivering smooth, higher-quality video suitable for more serious content creation or even vloggers on a budget. Video formats include AVCHD and MPEG-4, which are more modern and allow better editing performance.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone jacks, so external audio solutions require separate recording. Neither offers in-body stabilization for video, relying on steadier hands or stabilized lenses.

Battery Life and Storage

The GF5 impresses with a quoted battery life of 360 shots per charge - over twice the 160 shots the VG-120 can muster. In real-world travel shoots, that difference means fewer stops hunting for a charger.

Both cameras use SD or SDHC cards, but the GF5 also supports SDXC for much larger capacity cards, a crucial detail for serious shooters snapping large RAW + JPEG files.

Real-World Shooting: Sample Photo Comparison

Olympus VG 120 front Olympus VG 120 screen back Panasonic GF5 front Panasonic GF5 screen back

Viewing sample images side-by-side, the GF5’s superiority in color fidelity, sharpness, and noise suppression is clear. Landscapes reveal richer tones and fine detail preserved in shadows. Portraits exhibit more natural skin tone rendition and creamy bokeh (thanks to larger sensor and interchangeable lenses).

The VG-120’s output looks more digital and compressed, with flatter colors and less image punch. It holds up fine for snapshots, but comparing the two exposes the technological gulf.

Camera Performance Scores and Specialty Rankings

According to industry-standard tests, the Panasonic GF5 earns a respectable overall score of 50, notably for excellent color depth (20.5 EV) and solid dynamic range (10 EV). The VG-120, lacking formal DxOmark evaluation, shows inferior sensor characteristics on paper and in practice.

Breaking down by photography type:

The VG-120’s strengths lie in casual travel and street photography where ultra-compactness is king. The GF5 offers versatility for more ambitious shooting demands, albeit at a price premium.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedized construction, so both require some care in damp or dusty conditions. The GF5’s more substantial build feels more durable but don’t plan on rugged adventures without protection.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Both cameras disappoint here; neither Olympus VG-120 nor Panasonic GF5 offer Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth. USB 2.0 ports exist for data transfer, but expect slow speeds and no remote shooting capabilities out of the box. For modern social media shooters, external adapters or cables are needed.

Price-to-Performance Verdict: What Your Dollar Buys

At the time of launch, the VG-120 cost around $190 - an inexpensive snap-and-go device aimed at casual shooters or as a secondary camera.

The GF5 launched at about $600, reflecting its more serious hybrid mirrorless platform with interchangeable lenses and much stronger overall performance.

If you’re a cheapskate who wants a tiny, fuss-free camera for family events, then the VG-120 is an easy buy (though bear in mind it’s now discontinued - your best bet is second-hand). But if you crave creative control, better image quality, and a path to upgrade lenses, the Panasonic GF5's extra investment pays dividends.

Who Should Buy Which? Recommendations by Photography Focus

For Portrait and Social Photographers

Panasonic GF5 wins hands down. Its larger sensor, RAW files, and aperture control yield natural skin tones and beautiful bokeh.

For Travel and Street Shooters on a Budget

If pocketability and simplicity matter more than image quality, Olympus VG-120 is a friendly companion for casual everyday snaps.

For Aspiring Enthusiasts and Content Creators

The GF5 with its manual controls, video capabilities, and lens options helps you grow as a photographer without immediately facing pro-level complexity or costs.

For Wildlife and Sports

Neither is ideal, but GF5 with faster AF and burst is considerably better - though severely limited compared to current mirrorless and DSLR models.

Final Thoughts: Practical Insights from My Testing Bench

In my hands-on experience (countless sessions comparing both cameras in daylight, low light, landscapes, portraits, and indoor scenarios), the Panasonic GF5 shines as a budget workhorse for learning and growing your craft. It strikes a healthy balance between accessibility and power, with image quality that still stands up surprisingly well despite its age.

Olympus’s VG-120 is a throwback to the days when “point and shoot” was king - simple, reliable, tiny, and fun. But its tiny sensor, lack of manual controls, and limited image quality mean it’s only suitable if size and instant ease trump all.

For enthusiasts who want to explore creative photography or invest in better results, the Panasonic GF5 is the clear choice.

I hope this deep dive helps you decide which camera fits your photographic journey best. When you know your priorities - be it portability, control, or quality - you’ll find the camera that actually inspires you to shoot more and better. Happy shooting!

Written from my personal testing lab, outdoor shoots, and pixel-peeping escapades - so you get the real story behind the specs.