Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax X-5
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


65 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax X-5 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
- Introduced January 2011
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
- Released August 2012

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax X-5 Overview
Lets take a closer look at the Olympus VG-120 and Pentax X-5, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is pretty similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The VG-120 was brought out 19 months before the X-5 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the VG-120 grades versus the X-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax X-5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus VG-120 and Pentax X-5. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus VG-120 Gallery and Pentax X-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Pentax X-5
VG-120 | X-5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Olympus VG-120
X-5 | VG-120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | More modern by 19 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Pentax X-5
VG-120 | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch screen |
Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus VG-120 has got external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax X-5 has specifications of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).
Look at the Olympus VG-120 and Pentax X-5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the VG-120 compared to the X-5.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the VG-120 and X-5 is 96 and 65 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over specifications. The pic here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-120 and X-5.
Plainly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Pentax X-5 to deliver greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged VG-120 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications
Olympus VG-120 | Pentax X-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus VG-120 | Pentax X-5 |
Class | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-01-06 | 2012-08-22 |
Body design | Ultracompact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic III | - |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 26-130mm (5.0x) | 22-580mm (26.4x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-6.5 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 7cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 230k dot |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 4s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.40 m | 9.10 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 120 grams (0.26 pounds) | 595 grams (1.31 pounds) |
Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 160 photos | 330 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-70B | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $190 | $230 |