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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A37

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A37 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 A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced May 2012
  • Superseded the Sony A35
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A37 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Olympus VG-120 versus Sony A37, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the A37 (16MP) is relatively close but the VG-120 (1/2.3") and A37 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

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The VG-120 was unveiled 16 months before the A37 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the VG-120 grades against the A37 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Sony A37

 VG-120 A37 
Screen size3"2.6"Bigger screen (+0.4")

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Olympus VG-120

 A37 VG-120 
IntroducedMay 2012January 2011Fresher by 16 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Sony A37

 VG-120 A37 
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-120 features physical 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 A37 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VG-120 versus Sony A37 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the VG-120 and the A37.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VG-120 and A37 is 96 and 67 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through a spec sheet. The visual below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-120 and A37.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The VG-120 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Sony A37 will provide you with greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older VG-120 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography factors
Sony A37 Portrait photography factors
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Street photography info
Sony A37 Street photography info
48
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
77
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Sports photography highlights
Sony A37 Sports photography highlights
26
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (160 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VG-120
Travel photography with Sony A37
62
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
no Timelapse recording
low battery pack (160 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery (500 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A37 as a Landscape photography camera
36
decently wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3")
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery pack (160 shots)
no Timelapse recording
64
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.6 inch)
terrible battery (500 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A37 as a Vlogging camera
28
decently wide (26mm)
has face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Sony A37
 Olympus VG-120Sony SLT-A37
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VG-120 Sony SLT-A37
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-06 2012-05-16
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focus range 7cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 2.6"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.40 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 120 grams (0.26 lbs) 506 grams (1.12 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 799
Other
Battery life 160 shots 500 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $190 $522