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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3 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
  • Launched January 2011
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Photography Glossary

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VG-120 was manufactured 12 months later than the ZR3 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the VG-120 scores against the ZR3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Panasonic ZR3

 VG-120 ZR3 
IntroducedJanuary 2011January 2010More recent by 12 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus VG-120

 ZR3 VG-120 

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic ZR3

 VG-120 ZR3 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-120 has got 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) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the VG-120 vs the ZR3.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VG-120 and ZR3 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by checking specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the VG-120 and ZR3.

All in all, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs however you might want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more recent VG-120 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VG-120
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
33
MP count good (14MP)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Street photography info
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography info
48
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
26
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (160 per charge)
no phase detect AF
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Travel photography camera
62
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery (160 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
64
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
36
fairly wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery (160 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
37
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging advice
28
fairly wide (26mm)
supports face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
29
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus VG-120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus VG-120Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VG-120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-01-06 2010-01-26
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 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 data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 7cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 120 gr (0.26 pounds) 159 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 pictures -
Type of battery 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
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $190 $280