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Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5 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
  • Released January 2011
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Replaced the Pentax K-7
  • Successor is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is very well matched but the VG-120 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) posses different sensor measurements.

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The VG-120 was unveiled about the same time to the K-5 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the VG-120 grades against the K-5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Pentax K-5

 VG-120 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus VG-120

 K-5 VG-120 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Pentax K-5

 VG-120 K-5 
ReleasedJanuary 2011December 2010Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-120 has exterior measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

See the Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the VG-120 compared to the K-5.

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-120 and K-5 is 96 and 60 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions simply by checking specs. The picture underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the VG-120 and K-5.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The VG-120 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Pentax K-5 will resolve greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography information
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Street photography highlights
48
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Sports photography information
Pentax K-5 Sports photography information
26
megapixel count good (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (160 shots)
no phase detect AF
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 Travel photography info
62
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery (160 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
weather proofing
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography advice
36
fairly wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3")
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery (160 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 Vlogging highlights
28
fairly wide (26mm)
provides face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Pentax K-5
 Olympus VG-120Pentax K-5
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus VG-120 Pentax K-5
Category Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-01-06 2010-12-18
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Prime II
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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 7cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate - 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 120 grams (0.26 pounds) 740 grams (1.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1162
Other
Battery life 160 shots 980 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $190 $800