Clicky

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-145 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Olympus VG-145
(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 July 2011
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
Photography Glossary

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic FS12, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the VG-145 (14MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The VG-145 was announced 2 years later than the FS12 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the VG-145 matches up versus the FS12 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-145 over the Panasonic FS12

 VG-145 FS12 
LaunchedJuly 2011April 2009Fresher by 28 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus VG-145

 FS12 VG-145 

Common features in the Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic FS12

 VG-145 FS12 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-145 has outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Panasonic FS12 has dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic FS12 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the VG-145 against the FS12.

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the VG-145 and FS12 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing specs. The visual below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-145 and FS12.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Olympus VG-145 to show more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The newer VG-145 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VG-145
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
33
MP count decent (14MP)
features face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Olympus VG-145 Street photography highlights
Panasonic FS12 Street photography highlights
48
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VG-145
Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
26
MP count decent (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (160 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-145 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
62
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery power (160 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-145 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography factors
36
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery power (160 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-145 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging advice
28
reasonably wide (26mm)
features face detection autofocus
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus VG-145Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VG-145 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2011-07-27 2009-04-17
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
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 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file 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 pounds) 129g (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" 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 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $0 $228