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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980 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
  • Launched January 2011
Sony S980
(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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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980 Overview

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").

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The 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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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Sony S980

 VG-120 S980 
ReleasedJanuary 2011February 2009More modern by 23 months
Screen size3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography information
Sony S980 Portrait photography information
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
focusing manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VG-120
Street photography with Sony S980
48
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Sports photography info
Sony S980 Sports photography info
26
resolution is good (14MP)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (160 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
17
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
62
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (160 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VG-120
Landscape photography with Sony S980
36
decently wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
terrible battery power (160 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
27
focusing manually
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Vlogging features
Sony S980 Vlogging features
28
decently wide (26mm)
features face detection autofocus
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Sony S980
 Olympus VG-120Sony 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