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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
86
Overall
67

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony ZV-1 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
  • Announced January 2011
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Released May 2020
  • Refreshed by Sony ZV-1 II
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Olympus VG-120 and Sony ZV-1, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the VG-120 (14MP) and ZV-1 (20MP) and the VG-120 (1/2.3") and ZV-1 (1") use different sensor dimensions.

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The VG-120 was introduced 10 years before the ZV-1 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the VG-120 grades versus the ZV-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Sony ZV-1

 VG-120 ZV-1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Olympus VG-120

 ZV-1 VG-120 
ReleasedMay 2020January 2011Newer by 114 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Sony ZV-1

 VG-120 ZV-1 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-120 has got physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Sony ZV-1 has proportions of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") and a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

See the Olympus VG-120 and Sony ZV-1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the VG-120 vs the ZV-1.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the VG-120 and ZV-1 is 96 and 88 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through a spec sheet. The image here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the VG-120 and ZV-1.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The VG-120 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony ZV-1 will render extra detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged VG-120 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography info
Sony ZV-1 Portrait photography info
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VG-120
Street photography with Sony ZV-1
48
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
85
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
lighter than average (294g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Sports photography features
Sony ZV-1 Sports photography features
26
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (160 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
71
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (24.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
provides tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (260 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Travel photography information
Sony ZV-1 Travel photography information
62
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (160 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
81
lighter than average (294 grams)
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography advice
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography advice
36
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery life (160 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
70
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VG-120
Vlogging with Sony ZV-1
28
reasonably wide (26mm)
comes with face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
86
quite wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external mic support
lighter than average (294g)
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Sony ZV-1
 Olympus VG-120Sony ZV-1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VG-120 Sony ZV-1
Type Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-06 2020-05-27
Physical type Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 315
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range 7cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 24.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 120 grams (0.26 lb) 294 grams (0.65 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 160 shots 260 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $190 $750