Compact Contenders: In-Depth Comparison of the Olympus VG-120 and Sony RX100 V

When you’re sifting through the ever-expanding world of compact cameras, selecting the perfect fit can be daunting. Today, I’m bringing to the table a detailed comparison of two rather different yet intriguing ultracompact compacts - the Olympus VG-120, a budget-friendly 2011 classic designed for casual snapshots, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V, a 2016 powerhouse aimed at enthusiasts craving high performance in a pocketable body.

Having spent hundreds of hours testing cameras ranging from mirrorless pro bodies to point-and-shoots, I’ll dissect these models across major photography disciplines, technical metrics, ergonomics, and value for money. Whether your focus is portraits, landscapes, or video, this thorough examination will help you understand each camera’s strengths and compromises.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

Let’s start with the basics - how these cameras feel in your hands, their dimensions, and usability. The VG-120 is remarkably small and light, weighing just 120 grams with physical dimensions measuring 96 × 57 × 19 mm, making it a breeze to slip into any pocket or purse. This ultracompact design appeals to those prioritizing portability over feature depth. The downside? The camera’s slimness leads to a somewhat cramped grip and limited handling controls.

In contrast, the Sony RX100 V, while still compact at 102 × 58 × 41 mm and 299 grams, is noticeably chunkier and heavier - nearly two and a half times the weight of the Olympus. But this added bulk is purposeful: it more comfortably balances in hand, offers better tactile controls, and integrates an electronic viewfinder (EVF), elevating usability in bright conditions.

A comparative glance at their size and ergonomics highlights these distinctions clearly. The RX100 V’s heft translates to comfort and stability, especially useful for longer sessions or when working with long exposures. Meanwhile, the VG-120’s minimal footprint suits social events or travel where obtrusiveness is a concern.

Design and Control Layout: Vintage Simplicity vs. Advanced Interface

Olympus kept the VG-120’s design intentionally simple. The fixed zoom lens (26-130 mm equivalent) offers a versatile 5x range, but manual focus or exposure controls are absent - everything runs on automatic with limited user intervention. The camera lacks a viewfinder; instead, it relies solely on its fixed 3.0-inch TFT LCD with modest 230k-dot resolution. The screen is non-touch and fixed, which feels limiting by today’s standards.

Sony delivers a markedly more sophisticated interface in the RX100 V. Alongside its tiltable and higher-resolution 3.0-inch 1,229k-dot screen, it incorporates a bright built-in 2,359k-dot OLED EVF with 100% coverage and 0.59x magnification - rare features in this class. Controls include dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation, along with custom buttons, enabling rapid manual adjustments - features that will resonate with enthusiasts and pro users.

After hours experimenting with both cameras, I can confidently say the RX100 V wins handily in interface sophistication and versatility. The VG-120’s minimalist approach may ease casual shooting but feels restrictive if you want creative control or faster access to settings.

Sensor & Image Quality: Tiny CCD vs. Large BSI-CMOS

At the heart of any camera’s image quality is its sensor. The VG-120 employs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17×4.55 mm - a format typical of early-2010s compact cameras. Its resolution maxes out at 14 megapixels (4288×3216), with a maximum ISO of 1600 and no RAW support. This smaller sensor size limits its ability to handle noise, dynamic range, and low-light conditions effectively.

In contrast, the RX100 V sports a significantly larger 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2×8.8 mm), offering an image area over four times that of the Olympus sensor (116.16mm² vs. 28.07mm²). It boasts a 20-megapixel resolution (5472×3648), native ISO from 125 to 12,800 (expandable to 25,600), and importantly, offers RAW capture for maximum editing latitude.

Our lab testing demonstrates the clear advantage of the RX100 V’s sensor. Images display superior color depth (22.8 bits vs N/A for Olympus), dynamic range (12.4 EV vs. untested), and much better noise control at high ISO values - critical for low-light and night photography. The CCD’s inherent limitations manifest as visible noise and reduced detail beyond ISO 400, constraining the VG-120’s practical use outdoors in dim environments. The RX100 V excels here, delivering clean results even at ISO 3200-6400.

Versatility in Lens and Zoom Range

While both cameras have fixed zoom lenses, their characteristics differ considerably:

• Olympus VG-120: 26-130 mm equivalent (5x optical zoom), aperture f/2.8-6.5
• Sony RX100 V: 24-70 mm equivalent (2.9x optical zoom), aperture f/1.8-2.8

The Olympus covers a more extended zoom range, reaching out to telephoto focal lengths suitable for casual wildlife or distant subjects. However, the lens speed is modest - the aperture becomes quite narrow (f/6.5) at the telephoto end, hampering low-light capability and subject isolation.

Sony’s lens, although shorter in zoom reach, shines with a much faster maximum aperture throughout most of its range, contributing to better low-light performance and the ability to produce shallow depth of field effects for portraits or artistic shots.

If tight zoom telephoto is a priority for your shooting style, the VG-120 wins on reach, but the RX100 V’s sharper optics and wide aperture make it the better all-around performer for image quality and creative flexibility.

Autofocus Performance: The Impact of Technology and Speed

Autofocus can make or break your experience, especially for fast-paced genres like sports or wildlife.

The Olympus VG-120 offers contrast-detection autofocus with face detection. However, it lacks continuous AF, tracking, or eye detection features. Autofocus speed is sluggish, especially in low light or for moving subjects, increasing the risk of blurred or missed shots.

By contrast, the RX100 V stands out with a hybrid AF system integrating 315 phase-detection points and contrast detection. This enables extremely fast and accurate autofocus lock-on, subject tracking, and face detection, ideal for dynamic or unpredictable scenes. I timed continuous AF to be near-instantaneous, with burst rates reaching 24 fps, rivaling many DSLR cameras from just a few years back.

This focus prowess manifests clearly when shooting sports or wildlife, where the RX100 V captures sharp frames of fast-moving animals or athletes, while the VG-120 frequently misses the mark.

Real-World Use Cases Across Photography Genres

Let’s detach from specs and talk real-world outcomes across eight key photography styles.

Portrait Photography

• Sony RX100 V shines with large sensor bokeh, rich skin tones, and effective eye-detection AF, enabling sharp, flattering portraits. Its fast aperture facilitates subject-background separation.
• Olympus VG-120 struggles here due to small sensor noise in low light and limited bokeh - the higher f/stop reduces creative control over depth of field.

Landscape Photography

• RX100 V delivers stunning detail at wide angles thanks to its large sensor and dynamic range, capturing subtle tonal gradations and vibrant colors.
• VG-120 provides acceptable results in bright daylight but shows early clipping in shadows and highlights, limiting post-processing latitude.

Wildlife Photography

• The VG-120’s 5x zoom is tempting but its slow autofocus and lack of burst mode impair success rates with active subjects.
• The RX100 V’s fast AF and rapid shooting speed give it an edge for smaller or more approachable wildlife.

Sports Photography

• The RX100 V offers swift tracking and speedy shutter, perfect for indoor or lower-light environments.
• The VG-120 is not designed for sport scenes, lacking continuous autofocus and fast burst capture.

Street Photography

• The VG-120 scores points for its ultra-compact and discreet profile, great for unobtrusive candid shots.
• RX100 V is still portable but its EVF and controls make it more noticeable; however, its superior low-light high ISO performance broadens shooting windows.

Macro Photography

• Both cameras provide fairly close focusing distances (7cm Olympus, 5cm Sony) enabling decent macro shots, but the RX100 V’s sharper lens and stabilization produce crisper images.

Night and Astro Photography

• The RX100 V excels with high ISO capabilities and long shutter speeds, supported by manual exposure modes.
• VG-120’s limited ISO and shutter speed options restrict creative opportunities in dark conditions.

Video Capabilities

• The VG-120 offers basic HD video at 720p with Motion JPEG compression, lacking microphone input or stabilization.
• The RX100 V shoots full 4K UHD at 30 fps with advanced codecs (XAVC S) and optical stabilization, greatly enhancing handheld video quality.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders: Framing and Reviewing

Both cameras have 3-inch LCDs, but there is a stark difference in resolution and articulation.

The VG-120’s 230k-dot fixed TFT screen provides basic framing and playback but can feel low-res and less detailed outdoors. No touchscreen capability means more menu diving.

The RX100 V sports a bright, tiltable 1,229k-dot screen offering much better clarity and flexibility for awkward angles or selfies. Coupled with its crisp EVF, it enables precise composition in any light condition.

The inclusion of an EVF in the RX100 V is particularly critical for bright daylight shooting, where LCDs frequently wash out.

Build Quality and Durability Considerations

Neither camera features environmental seals or rugged construction. The VG-120’s ultraportable plastic body feels modest with limited durability, aligned with its budget tier.

The RX100 V, while not weather-sealed, impresses with solid metal construction that imparts a feeling of robustness - a reassuring factor for serious users.

Neither is suitable for harsh conditions without protective housing.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is respectable but unremarkable on both sides.

• VG-120 achieves about 160 shots per charge using its LI-70B battery.
• RX100 V manages roughly 220 shots on its NP-BX1 battery.

Neither excels compared to DSLRs or mirrorless options, but the RX100 V’s higher performance and EVF use justify the tradeoff.

Both take a single SD card slot, but the RX100 V supports SDXC and Sony’s Memory Stick formats, broadening storage options.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The VG-120 surprisingly offers no wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - making image transfer cumbersome.

The RX100 V includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing seamless wireless connection to smartphones and remote control via apps - a significant convenience advantage for modern workflows.

Price and Value: Retro Budget vs. Contemporary Enthusiast

The price gap is enormous: the Olympus VG-120 retails near $190 (often less used), while the Sony RX100 V commands around $998 (used or discounted).

For the money, the VG-120 delivers exceptional portability and straightforward operation - suitable for casual shooters or beginners who want instant point-and-shoot fun without fuss.

Meanwhile, the RX100 V caters to enthusiasts or professionals desiring large sensor quality, fast autofocus, manual controls, and versatile video - a genuine pocketable powerhouse albeit at a high price.

Olympus VG 120 front Olympus VG 120 screen back Sony RX100 V front Sony RX100 V screen back

Summarizing Strengths and Weaknesses

Which Camera Suits Which Photographer?

Choose Olympus VG-120 if...

• You want the smallest, lightest camera for casual everyday shooting or vacation snapshots
• Your budget caps near $200, and advanced features or RAW are not priorities
• You prefer a simple point-and-shoot without fussing over settings
• Longevity and future-proofing are less critical

Choose Sony RX100 V if...

• You demand excellent image quality from a large sensor in a compact body
• You prioritize fast, reliable autofocus for wildlife, sports, or event photography
• Video recording in 4K and high frame rates matter to your workflow
• You want manual controls and connectivity for professional-level versatility
• Price is not a barrier, and value equates strongly with performance

Performance Breakdown by Photography Genre

Our specialized scoring system reveals clear trends:

The RX100 V consistently outperforms the VG-120 in nearly all categories, especially notable in landscape, wildlife, sports, and low-light performance. The Olympus carves out a niche in street and casual travel due to its discrete profile but understandably lags behind in advanced tasks.

My Final Thoughts After Hands-On Testing

After extensive side-by-side testing (including controlled lab conditions and spontaneous street shoots), the choice becomes a matter of intent and budget.

The Olympus VG-120 is a charming relic whose compactness still appeals for casual shooting or as a lightweight backup. However, its dated sensor, lack of manual control, and unimpressive autofocus limit its artistic scope.

On the other hand, the Sony RX100 V surprises with DSLR-like capabilities packed into a carry-anywhere form factor. Its cutting-edge autofocus, glorious image quality, and rich feature set make it my recommendation for enthusiasts or professionals wanting a premium compact.

Each camera tells a story of its time - the Olympus capturing the early-2010s ultracompact ethos, the Sony pushing boundaries years later. Both have their place, but if image quality, speed, and versatility matter most, the RX100 V stands out unequivocally.

This comparison should give you a solid understanding of what to expect from each. It boils down to your shooting style, priorities, and how much technical control you want at your fingertips. As always, I recommend trying these cameras out yourself if possible - handling often clarifies more than specs alone.

Happy shooting!