Olympus VG-145 vs Panasonic FX700

Choosing between compact cameras can be surprisingly complex despite their diminutive sizes. When evaluating two venerable contenders - the Olympus VG-145 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700 - I took a deep dive over several weeks of hands-on testing, comparing their capabilities across various photographic disciplines and real-world scenarios. Both cameras hail from a similar era but target somewhat different user priorities. This detailed analysis will shed light on their respective strengths, weaknesses, and recommend who each might suit best.

Getting Acquainted: Feel & Handling in the Hand

At first glance, both cameras exude the portable charm synonymous with those boutique compacts, but their shapes tell different stories. The Olympus VG-145 is classed as an ultracompact, distinctively slimmer and lighter in stature, while the Panasonic FX700 carries itself as a small sensor compact, slightly chunkier but offering marginally more substance.

Holding the VG-145, its 96x57x19 mm frame and a whisper-light 120g weight make it almost invisible in pockets. This sleekness appeals if discretion or grab-and-go ease is a priority. However, its slim body means smaller buttons and a sometimes fiddly grip during extended shooting sessions - something I noticed particularly during my street photography trials where swift maneuvering counts.

The FX700 measures 104x56x25 mm and comes in at 176g. Not a heavyweight by any means but substantial enough to inspire confidence in handling. I appreciated its chunkier body for more secure hold and a layout that’s less cramped. The thicker profile accommodates more pronounced, tactile controls, invaluable for manual exposure adjustments or rapid mode switching.

Both cameras lack viewfinders entirely - a common compromise in models of this class - leaning on their rear LCD screens for composition and review.

User Interface and Control Layout

Controlling a camera intuitively can make or break the shooting experience, especially when chasing fleeting moments or adapting rapidly to changing scenes. I laid the two side-by-side to assess button placement, menus, and the responsiveness of controls.

The VG-145’s top plate is minimalist, echoing its design ethos: a mode dial with limited options (lacking full manual modes), a shutter release, and flash button. Its lacking shutter and aperture priority modes means shooting is more automated and less customizable - ideal if you prefer simplicity but less appealing to those who desire creative control.

The FX700 excels here, offering shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual control. This is complemented by a comfortable mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation button, and touchscreen input - a rare feature for a compact of its era. The touchscreen made navigating menus and setting focus points quick and more satisfying in practice.

Despite the VG-145’s lack of manual focus and exposure modes, its touchpoints like a self-timer were straightforward. The FX700’s more sophisticated interface clearly targets more experienced photographers who want to tweak settings on the fly.

Sensor Performance and Image Quality

At the heart of any camera’s image-making capacity lies its sensor, and both these cameras share a common sensor size: 1/2.3 inches, albeit with subtle technological distinctions.

The VG-145 employs a CCD sensor, while the FX700 benefits from a more modern CMOS technology paired with Panasonic’s Venus Engine FHD processor. CCD sensors, common in older compacts, tend to produce images with pleasing color rendition but at a cost of higher noise at elevated ISO settings and slower readout speeds. CMOS, conversely, offers better low-light performance, faster processing, and more versatility especially in video.

Both sport 14MP resolutions, and in well-lit conditions, produce sharp photos. However, under challenging lighting, the FX700’s sensor output cleaner images with lower noise, extending usability up to ISO 800 without severe grain. The VG-145 starts showing colored noise at ISO 400 onwards. Its max ISO of 1600 is somewhat nominal given the sensor constraints - your images at this sensitivity will be noisy and lack detail.

Dynamic range and color depth, while not officially DXO-marked for these exact models, showed the FX700 delivering better tonal gradations in shadow and highlight recoveries during my landscape shoots. This better retaining detail in variable lighting is crucial for any serious landscape or outdoor work.

Composition, Screen and Live View

Since neither has a built-in electronic viewfinder, the LCD screen becomes the primary window to the scene. A dependable, bright display enhances camera usability in a variety of conditions.

Both cameras feature a 3-inch LCD with 230k dots resolution, somewhat modest by today’s standards but serviceable. The VG-145’s screen is a fixed TFT type - adequate viewing angles but tends to wash out under bright sunlight. The FX700, despite sharing the same resolution, benefitted from a touchscreen interface that responded swiftly and helped with setting custom focus areas - a boon during macro and street shooting when precise focus placement is vital.

While the FX700’s screen felt a little brighter and easier to eyeball on sunny days, I missed a tilting screen on both, which would have aided low or high angle shots significantly - a shortcoming in versatility for creative compositions.

Zoom and Lens Characteristics

Both cameras feature five-times zoom lenses spanning roughly 24-130mm equivalents, covering wide-angle to modest telephoto needs.

• Olympus VG-145: 26-130 mm, f/2.8-6.5
• Panasonic FX700: 24-120 mm, f/2.2-5.9

The FX700’s focal range edges wider to 24mm and slightly brighter maximum apertures, especially at the wide end (f/2.2 vs. f/2.8). This makes a tangible difference in indoor or low-light shooting, permitting more light to hit the sensor.

Optically, both lenses handle distortion competently, but the FX700 exhibited better sharpness wide open and less vignetting overall, a product of Panasonic’s often superior lens engineering. The Olympus lens struggles more at full zoom with slight softness and chromatic aberration creeping in. This bears out most noticeably in detailed landscape and macro shots where edge clarity counts.

Macro capability also favors the Olympus, boasting an impressively close focusing distance of 1cm compared to the 3cm on the Panasonic. In practice, this meant the VG-145 delivered more dramatic framing for flower or insect close-ups, though the FX700’s optical stabilization (more on that next) helps keep macro shots steady.

Autofocus, Stabilization and Shooting Speed

AF performance in compact cameras is often overlooked but vital for shooting moving subjects or spontaneous moments.

The Olympus VG-145 employs contrast-detection autofocus with face detection, but it lacks continuous AF or tracking modes. This means quick changes in subject distance or dynamic scenes can cause noticeable hunting. Its AF is quite sluggish compared to newer compacts, so capturing decisive moments in street or casual wildlife photography often requires patience.

The Panasonic FX700, also using contrast-detection AF without face detection, compensates with faster and quieter focusing and a burst mode capable of 10 frames per second in limited modes. While it doesn't feature continuous tracking AF, the significantly faster single shot AF speed makes a big difference during fast action or dynamic shooting, like capturing kids running or candid shots on the street.

Optical image stabilization aboard the FX700 is a standout advantage, especially valuable in low light or longer focal lengths. The VG-145 lacks any form of image stabilization, so handheld shots beyond 1/60s are prone to motion blur - something I personally experienced during indoor low-light portraits.

Flash Capabilities

Both cameras include internal flashes but differ in range and flexibility.

• VG-145: flash effective up to 4.4m, with modes including Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, and Fill-In
• FX700: flash effective up to 7.4m, with Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync modes

The FX700’s more powerful flash and Slow Sync feature enable better fill light balance for portraits in dim environments, reducing harsh shadows. While neither supports external flash units, the Panasonic unit excels for spontaneous indoor work or night street photography where bounce or more sophisticated lighting isn’t possible.

Video Capabilities

Video remains a valuable feature in compact cameras, and these two deserve some scrutiny here.

The VG-145 shoots HD video at 1280x720 max resolution at 30fps, encoding in Motion JPEG format - dated and inefficient compared to modern codecs. Lack of external microphone input and non-existent stabilization limits video smoothness and audio quality, confining it mostly to casual home videos.

The FX700 leaps ahead with Full HD video at 1920x1080 @ 60fps, recorded in AVCHD format - a compression standard delivering better quality files. It also supports 720p at 60fps. But like the Olympus, it lacks microphone and headphone jacks, curtailing professional audio integration. The built-in optical image stabilization again plays a big role here, making handheld videos noticeably steadier. This was evident in my casual travel videos shot on uneven terrain.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery performance is often overlooked until you’re mid-trip or shoot.

The VG-145 uses a rechargeable LI-70B battery rated for about 160 shots per charge, which meant frequent swaps if shooting extensively. The Panasonic FX700’s battery data isn’t explicitly specified but generally fair for compacts of its class - roughly 200-250 shots - a slight edge over Olympus.

Both models use SD/SDHC cards, but the FX700 also supports SDXC and even internal memory, offering more flexibility for storage management. Olympus sticks to the basics with a single card slot and no internal storage.

Built Quality, Weather Resistance and Connectivity

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedized construction; this aligns them with casual photo usage rather than professional outdoor adventures.

Connectivity options are similarly minimal - both lack Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS capabilities. Multimedia transfer relies solely on USB 2.0. The FX700 supports HDMI output, making it somewhat more convenient for direct playback on TVs.

Putting Them Through Real-World Tests by Genre

I wanted to verify how these specs translate into practical use across photography types. Below is an overview of how they handled in varied disciplines.

Portrait Photography

• VG-145: Effective face detection helped achieve decent focus on subjects. However, lack of manual exposure and narrow aperture range limited creative depth-of-field effects. The lens' modest max aperture and no image stabilization made indoor portraits harder to nail, requiring higher ISO and resulting image noise.

• FX700: Manual controls empowered me to dial in aperture priority and shoot at wider apertures for pleasing background blur. The lens better handled low light, and optical stabilization allowed sharper shots at slower shutter speeds. However, absence of face detection occasionally hindered autofocus precision on eyes.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras struggled somewhat due to their small sensors and limited dynamic range, but the FX700’s cleaner shadows and better resolution produced more pleasing landscape photos. Its wider lens coverage at 24mm gave more expansive framing than Olympus’s 26mm. Neither supports RAW files, curtailing post-processing latitude.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera is optimized for fast action. The VG-145’s painfully slow autofocus and lack of continuous shooting made wildlife or sports shooting frustrating, often missing critical moments. The FX700 improved with faster AF and 10fps burst, but still no subject tracking. Paired with limited telephoto reach, use is confined to casual snapshots.

Street Photography

The VG-145’s smaller size and quiet operation make it appealing for discrete shooting, providing I could live with the modest AF speed. The FX700, bulkier but faster, accommodated more deliberate street work with its manual controls and quicker responsiveness, adding versatility.

Macro Photography

The VG-145 shines here with its close 1cm focusing distance, capturing insect and floral details beautifully. The FX700’s 3cm limit produces less intimate frames but benefited from stabilization to keep shots sharp handheld.

Night and Astrophotography

Both cameras falter under low light; however, the FX700’s higher max ISO and stabilization yielded usable images where the VG-145 produced noisy, soft results. Limited shutter speeds on both restrict astrophotography potential.

Video Recording

The FX700’s Full HD at 60fps and stabilized footage give it a clear edge for casual videographers over the VG-145’s more basic 720p MJPEG output.

Travel Photography

Compact size and lightweight favor the VG-145 for travel packing; however, its limited features and slower operation sometimes hinder creative opportunities. The FX700 balances portability with expanded controls and better image quality, making it my pick for versatile travel use.

Professional Work

Neither camera scratches the professional need for RAW files, extensive connectivity, or rugged build. Both best serve enthusiasts seeking convenience over full-fledged pro features.

Olympus VG 145 front Olympus VG 145 screen back Panasonic FX700 front Panasonic FX700 screen back

This sample gallery shows similarities in resolution and color rendition but highlights the Panasonic’s improved sharpness and dynamic range, especially in challenging light.

Technical Ratings and Summary

To help synthesize the performance across multiple criteria, here are overall ratings based on my extensive testing benchmarks.

The FX700 outperforms across most categories except size and weight. The Olympus scores well for discretion and macro, but lags notably on responsiveness and low light.

This chart categorizes the cameras’ suitability for different photography genres based on field results. It clearly visualizes the FX700’s edge in versatility and speed, and the VG-145’s niche appeal for macro and ultra-compact form factor enthusiasts.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

After scrutinizing every angle, I’ve distilled their essence into practical guidance:

• Pick the Olympus VG-145 if you prioritize portability above all, enjoy macro close-up shooting, and want a simple camera to slip into a jacket pocket or purse for casual snapshots. It suits beginners or travelers who prioritize size and simplicity over advanced features.

• Opt for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700 if you want more creative control, better image quality, faster autofocus, and superior video capabilities in a still compact body. Its versatility elevates it for enthusiasts who shoot a range of subjects - from portraits to landscapes - and value video too.

Both cameras reveal their age in today’s camera landscape. While neither supports RAW or wireless features, and both limit you in low light or demanding scenes, the FX700 stands out as the more capable and future-proof choice of the pair.

To any photographer weighing these two, consider carefully what matters most: minimalism and simplicity with reasonably good performance (VG-145), or a more complete creative toolset with better image resilience (FX700). Through my years of testing thousands of cameras, this level of nuanced insight often guides the most satisfying purchase decisions.

If you have further questions or want hands-on advice tailored to specific shooting styles, feel free to reach out or leave comments. Photography is as much about exploration as gear, and these two compacts each tell their own story. Happy shooting!