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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic XS1 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 XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic XS1, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the XS1 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VG-120 was launched 24 months earlier than the XS1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the VG-120 scores vs the XS1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Panasonic XS1

 VG-120 XS1 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Olympus VG-120

 XS1 VG-120 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2011Fresher by 24 months

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic XS1

 VG-120 XS1 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus VG-120 enjoys outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Panasonic XS1 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") accompanied by a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic XS1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the VG-120 and the XS1.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-120 and XS1 is 96 and 97 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at technical specs. The visual below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-120 and XS1.

As you can tell, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic XS1 to give you more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older VG-120 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography advice
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
30
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Street photography information
Panasonic XS1 Street photography information
48
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (103 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Sports photography advice
Panasonic XS1 Sports photography advice
26
MP count decent (14MP)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (160 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
41
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic XS1 Travel photography highlights
62
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (160 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competitors (103g)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography info
Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography info
36
pretty wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery life (160 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
39
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Vlogging camera
28
pretty wide (26mm)
comes with face detect focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
31
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (103 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic XS1
 Olympus VG-120Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VG-120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-01-06 2013-01-07
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
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 -
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing distance 7cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 120 gr (0.26 lbs) 103 gr (0.23 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $190 $130