Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-01
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


76 Imaging
57 Features
68 Overall
61
Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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 - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
- Introduced May 2012

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-01 Overview
Below is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus VG-120 and Pentax K-01, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the VG-120 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) have different sensor size.

The VG-120 was brought out 17 months before the K-01 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the VG-120 matches up against the K-01 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-01 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus VG-120 & Pentax K-01. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus VG-120 Gallery & Pentax K-01 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Pentax K-01
VG-120 | K-01 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Olympus VG-120
K-01 | VG-120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | May 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | More recent by 17 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Pentax K-01
VG-120 | K-01 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-120 comes with physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") and a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).
Check the Olympus VG-120 and Pentax K-01 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the VG-120 compared to the K-01.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the VG-120 and K-01 is 96 and 76 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements just by going through specifications. The photograph here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-120 and K-01.
Plainly, both cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The VG-120 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-01 will show more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The older VG-120 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications
Olympus VG-120 | Pentax K-01 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus VG-120 | Pentax K-01 |
Type | Ultracompact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2011-01-06 | 2012-05-30 |
Body design | Ultracompact | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic III | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 81 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens focal range | 26-130mm (5.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-6.5 | - |
Macro focus distance | 7cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 151 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.40 m | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/180s |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 120 grams (0.26 lbs) | 561 grams (1.24 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.9 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1135 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 160 photographs | 540 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-70B | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $190 | $899 |