Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic LZ30

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic LZ30, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the LZ30 (16MP) is pretty close and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The VG-120 was brought out 24 months before the LZ30 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the VG-120 grades versus the LZ30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus VG-120 Gallery and Panasonic LZ30 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus VG-120 provides external measurements 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 LZ30 has specifications of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

See the Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic LZ30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the VG-120 vs the LZ30.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-120 and LZ30 is 96 and 66 respectively.

Generally, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the VG-120 and LZ30.

Clearly, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic LZ30 to provide you with more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older VG-120 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.