Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980
96 Imaging
36 Features
24 Overall
31
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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
- Launched January 2011
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Released February 2009
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Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus VG-120 versus Sony S980, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe VG-120 was announced 23 months after the S980 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.
Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the VG-120 matches up against the S980 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus VG-120 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus VG-120 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Sony S980
| VG-120 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2011 | February 2009 | More modern by 23 months | |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus VG-120
| S980 | VG-120 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very exact focus |
Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Sony S980
| VG-120 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Exact same screen resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Lack of Touch screen |
Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus VG-120 has physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus VG-120 versus Sony S980 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the VG-120 and the S980.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-120 and S980 is 96 and 94 respectively.
Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes just by viewing technical specs. The pic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the VG-120 and S980.
As you can tell, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Olympus VG-120 to result in more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more modern VG-120 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.
Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Olympus VG-120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Sony |
| Model type | Olympus VG-120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
| Type | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 2011-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
| Body design | Ultracompact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | TruePic III | - |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14MP | 12MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 26-130mm (5.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/2.8-6.5 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focusing range | 7cm | 10cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 4s | 2s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shutter speed | - | 1.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 4.40 m | 3.50 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| 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) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| 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 gr (0.26 lbs) | 167 gr (0.37 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 160 shots | - |
| Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | LI-70B | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at release | $190 | $300 |