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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A9

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Olympus VG-120
(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
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • New Model is Sony A9 II
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A9 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus VG-120 versus Sony A9, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the VG-120 (14MP) and A9 (24MP) and the VG-120 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor size.

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The VG-120 was launched 7 years earlier than the A9 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the VG-120 grades vs the A9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Sony A9

 VG-120 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Olympus VG-120

 A9 VG-120 
RevealedApril 2017January 2011More modern by 76 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k230kClearer screen (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Sony A9

 VG-120 A9 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-120 features exterior 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) while the Sony A9 has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

See the Olympus VG-120 versus Sony A9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the VG-120 versus the A9.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-120 and A9 is 96 and 65 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by checking a spec sheet. The image below will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the VG-120 and A9.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The VG-120 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A9 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged VG-120 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography advice
Sony A9 Portrait photography advice
33
good megapixels (14MP)
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
83
you can focus manually
decent MP (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Street photography highlights
Sony A9 Street photography highlights
48
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
supports focus by touch
weather proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Sports photography advice
Sony A9 Sports photography advice
26
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (160 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
86
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery (650 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VG-120
Travel photography with Sony A9
62
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery (160 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
73
great battery (650 CIPA)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
supports focus by touch
decent MP (24MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography details
Sony A9 Landscape photography details
36
fairly wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3")
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery (160 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
85
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery (650 CIPA)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Vlogging highlights
Sony A9 Vlogging highlights
28
fairly wide (26mm)
supports face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
36
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Sony A9
 Olympus VG-120Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus VG-120 Sony Alpha A9
Category Ultracompact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-01-06 2017-04-19
Body design Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Max boosted ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 693
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 7cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.40 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 grams (0.26 lb) 673 grams (1.48 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 160 shots 650 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-70B NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Single Two
Pricing at launch $190 $4,498