Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W230
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W230 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
- Announced January 2011
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Released February 2009

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W230 Overview
Lets look a bit more in depth at the Olympus VG-120 versus Sony W230, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively close and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The VG-120 was launched 23 months later than the W230 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.
Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the VG-120 matches up against the W230 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W230 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus VG-120 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The complete galleries are available at Olympus VG-120 Gallery and Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Sony W230
VG-120 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 23 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Olympus VG-120
W230 | VG-120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing |
Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Sony W230
VG-120 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-120 has exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Compare the Olympus VG-120 versus Sony W230 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the VG-120 against the W230.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-120 and W230 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its tough to picture the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through specifications. The photograph below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-120 and W230.
Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Olympus VG-120 to result in more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger VG-120 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W230 Specifications
Olympus VG-120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus VG-120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Category | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2011-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic III | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 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 |
Maximum resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
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) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-6.5 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focusing range | 7cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 1 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.40 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 120g (0.26 lb) | 156g (0.34 lb) |
Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | LI-70B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $190 | $180 |