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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
  • Introduced January 2011
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-3
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-F3
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Olympus VG-120 and Sony NEX-C3, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is relatively similar but the VG-120 (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The VG-120 was manufactured 7 months prior to the NEX-C3 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the VG-120 grades vs the NEX-C3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Sony NEX-C3

 VG-120 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus VG-120

 NEX-C3 VG-120 
AnnouncedAugust 2011January 2011Newer by 7 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Sony NEX-C3

 VG-120 NEX-C3 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-120 comes with external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Sony NEX-C3 has proportions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus VG-120 and Sony NEX-C3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the VG-120 and the NEX-C3.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the VG-120 and NEX-C3 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading specs. The picture below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-120 and NEX-C3.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The VG-120 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony NEX-C3 will offer you extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged VG-120 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography info
33
resolution is good (14MP)
features face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
73
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography factors
48
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
79
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (225g)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography info
26
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (160 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
53
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery power (400 shots)
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography highlights
62
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery (160 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
great battery power (400 per charge)
lighter than others in class (225g)
good MP (16MP)
no Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography factors
36
decently wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
resolution is good (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery (160 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (400 CIPA)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging info
28
decently wide (26mm)
features face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
27
lighter than others in class (225g)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Sony NEX-C3
 Olympus VG-120Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus VG-120 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-01-06 2011-08-22
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 7cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 120 grams (0.26 pounds) 225 grams (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1083
Other
Battery life 160 images 400 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-70B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $190 $343