Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic SZ8
96 Imaging
36 Features
24 Overall
31
94 Imaging
39 Features
31 Overall
35
Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs
(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
- Released January 2011
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
- Released January 2014
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Below is a complete review of the Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic SZ8, 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 SZ8 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").
Photography GlossaryThe VG-120 was introduced 4 years before the SZ8 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.
Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summary of how the VG-120 matches up vs the SZ8 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus VG-120 Gallery and Panasonic SZ8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Panasonic SZ8
| VG-120 | SZ8 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus VG-120
| SZ8 | VG-120 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2014 | January 2011 | More recent by 36 months | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic SZ8
| VG-120 | SZ8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Lack of manual focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen size | |
| Selfie screen | Neither comes with selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus VG-120 comes with 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) while the Panasonic SZ8 has specifications of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Look at the Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic SZ8 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the VG-120 against the SZ8.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VG-120 and SZ8 is 96 and 94 respectively.
Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements only by going through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-120 and SZ8.
Clearly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic SZ8 to produce more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older VG-120 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.
Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications
| Olympus VG-120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model type | Olympus VG-120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 |
| Type | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Released | 2011-01-06 | 2014-01-06 |
| Body design | Ultracompact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | TruePic III | Venus Engine |
| 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 | 16 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
| Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Total focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 26-130mm (5.0x) | 24-288mm (12.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/2.8-6.5 | f/3.1-6.3 |
| Macro focusing range | 7cm | - |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 230k dot | 460k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Display technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 8 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | - | 1.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 4.40 m | 5.20 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB 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) | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 120 gr (0.26 lb) | 159 gr (0.35 lb) |
| Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
| 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 images | 200 images |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | LI-70B | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Pricing at release | $190 | $275 |