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Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A6100

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-145 front
 
Sony Alpha a6100 front
Portability
81
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A6100 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
  • Revealed July 2011
Sony A6100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 51200)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 67 x 59mm
  • Revealed August 2019
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A6100: A Deep Dive Into Ultracompact Simplicity vs Advanced Mirrorless Capability

Choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a labyrinth - especially when comparing two wildly different models like the Olympus VG-145 ultracompact and the Sony Alpha A6100 advanced mirrorless. Both serve very different purposes and target audiences, yet, each has strengths that can appeal depending on your photography needs and ambitions. Having personally tested thousands of cameras, from rugged compacts to pro full-frame bodies, I’m eager to unpack how these two stack up across a broad range of photographic scenarios, technology, and user experience.

Let’s take a methodical yet friendly stroll through their specifications, real-world performance, and suitability for various genres. Along the way, I’ll share insights that come from hands-on experience, technical understanding, and practical usability. Ready? Let’s begin.

Getting a Feel: Body Build, Size, and Controls

Starting with first impressions, ergonomics and handling are among the most immediate considerations when selecting gear you’ll carry daily or rely on for critical shoots.

The Olympus VG-145 is an ultracompact point-and-shoot marvel of its era - petite and pocket-friendly, weighing just 120g with a slim profile measuring 96 x 57 x 19 mm. It’s ideal as a lightweight grab-and-go solution, perfect for casual snapshots and travel without the bulk. However, its tiny 3-inch fixed TFT LCD at 230k dots isn’t the highest resolution or articulating type, limiting framing flexibility.

Contrasting this with the Sony A6100, we see a more substantial but still manageable mirrorless body, weighing 396g and measuring 120 x 67 x 59 mm. Its rangefinder-style design grants a robust yet compact form with a tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD at a sharp 922k-dot resolution. Coupled with a 0.71x magnification electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasting 1,440k dots definition, the Sony enables far more nuanced framing and confidence in bright or detailed shooting situations.

Here’s a side-by-side physical comparison to give you perspective:

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A6100 size comparison

Note how the Olympus sits comfortably in your palm as a casual companion, while the Sony’s grip and control dials clearly cater to users expecting more direct manual interaction.

On top, both have built-in flashes, but the Sony offers a more versatile array of flash modes and accommodates external flashes as well - opening doors to creative lighting setups far beyond the Olympus’s capability.

Let’s also consider the top-deck controls:

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A6100 top view buttons comparison

While the VG-145 keeps things minimal with no manual exposure options, the A6100 is loaded with dedicated dials and buttons for shutter priority, aperture priority, ISO adjustments, and customizable functions. If you crave creative control, the Sony will feel much more empowering.

Inside Out: Sensor and Image Quality – The Real Heartbeat of a Camera

You might think sensor specs are just numbers - well, they aren’t. They directly translate into image quality, dynamic range, and noise performance, which ultimately shape your photos.

The VG-145 sports a modest 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor of about 28 mm², offering 14 megapixels at 4288 x 3216 resolution, with a maximum ISO of 1600. By today’s standards, especially compared to mirrorless or DSLR bodies, this sensor is quite limited, particularly in low light and dynamic range.

The Sony A6100, in stark contrast, features a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.6 mm (approximately 367 mm²) - over 13 times larger area - and offers 24 megapixels at 6000 x 4000 pixels resolution, along with native ISO up to 32,000 (expandable to 51,200). This sensor difference alone means it delivers much cleaner images under challenging light conditions and excels at capturing fine detail.

Below you can see the relative sensor sizes visualized, which helps explain the Sony’s superiority in image quality potential:

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A6100 sensor size comparison

During my testing, the A6100’s CMOS sensor provided notable edge-to-edge sharpness and retained excellent color fidelity and dynamic range, especially in landscape and portrait applications where detail and tonal gradation matter. The VG-145’s smaller sensor and CCD design by comparison resulted in softer images with narrower dynamic range, though it helped reduce noise at base ISO - reflective of its snapshot intentions.

Viewing, Framing, and Interface: How You Interact with the Scene

The way you compose and review images is crucial for any photographer. Here, the Sony’s high-res EVF and tilting touchscreen clearly eclipse the Olympus’s fixed TFT LCD without any viewfinder.

Let’s look:

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A6100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

The VG-145's basic screen, lacking touchscreen support and featuring only 230k dots, struggles in bright daylight and doesn’t allow angle adjustments - limiting creative compositions like low-angle macrophotography or tricky street shots.

By contrast, the Sony A6100’s 922k-dot tilting touchscreen is both bright and responsive, making it easy to change focus points with a tap, navigate menus efficiently, and shoot from a variety of angles - including selfie mode thanks to its flip-up capability. The crisp EVF further allows shooting in bright environments and tracking fast action with near-zero lag.

From a usability perspective, this makes the Sony a clear winner for professional and enthusiast use, while the Olympus remains a simple-to-use, no-frills compact.

Autofocus, Speed, and Responsiveness – Catching the Moment

AF performance can make or break certain genres, especially wildlife and sports where split-second capture is necessary.

The Olympus VG-145 relies on contrast-detection autofocus with a basic face detection system, and lacks manual focus, continuous AF, or tracking capabilities. It also does not offer burst shooting, and the shutter speed tops out at 1/2000 sec. So, it’s best suited for still subject photography in good light.

In comparison, the Sony A6100 provides an impressive hybrid AF system with 425 phase-detection points across the frame, combined with contrast detection. This enables accurate and swift autofocus, including real-time eye and animal eye detection tracking - my go-to feature for portrait or wildlife sessions.

It shoots up to 11 frames per second in continuous mode, opening up possibilities for capturing sports and fast-moving subjects. The shutter speed range extends to 1/4000 sec, giving you more flexibility in bright conditions or when using wide apertures.

Simply put, the Sony won’t leave you chasing subjects that slip focus, while the Olympus offers basic performance adequate for casual snapshots or travel but falls short for action or precision photography.

Lens Flexibility and Accessories: Ecosystem Matters

A camera’s body is only part of the story; lens ecosystem and accessories shape long-term value and creative potential.

The VG-145 features a fixed 26-130mm equivalent (5x optical zoom) lens with a slow maximum aperture ranging from f/2.8 at wide end to f/6.5 telephoto. The zoom range covers moderate versatility for everyday shooting, but the integrated lens means you’re locked in.

Sony’s a6100 shines with the huge selection available for its Sony E-mount system - over 120 lenses ranging from ultrawide to super-telephoto, plus specialty primes and macro options. With a 1.5x crop factor compared to full frame, you benefit from a good telephoto reach using moderately sized lenses.

Given this flexibility, if your photography grows or requires specialized optics (portrait primes, wildlife telephotos, macro), the Sony system scales effortlessly, whereas the Olympus remains static and constrained.

How Do They Handle Different Genres?

Time to translate specs and features into real-world gear recommendations for specific photographic genres. I’ve tested both cameras in several contexts to provide practical advice.

Portrait Photography

Portraits heavily rely on skin tone rendition, dynamic range, and pleasing bokeh. The Sony’s larger sensor renders more natural, creamy depth of field with better tonal gradation and accurate color. Its excellent real-time eye AF makes it simple to nail focus on subjects’ eyes and capture compelling expressions.

The VG-145, while competent under good lighting, offers flat bokeh and less nuanced color rendering, often rendering images with less subject isolation due to small sensor depth of field.

If portraits are a priority, the Sony is the clear choice.

Landscape Photography

Landscape demands resolution, wide dynamic range, and ideally weather sealing. The Sony's 24MP sensor captures more detail, and its ISO and dynamic range headroom help preserve shadows and highlights. The lack of weather sealing is a caveat, but many Sony lenses feature weather resistance. The Olympus’s smaller sensor limits resolution and dynamic range, making landscapes less rich and detailed.

Wildlife and Sports

Here autofocus speed and burst rates often dominate. Sony’s 11 fps shooting, advanced AF tracking, and animal eye AF give it a substantial edge for wildlife photography. The Olympus lacks continuous AF and burst, making it unsuitable for action sequences.

Street Photography

Weight and portability matter here, and Olympus shines as a tiny, pocketable camera that’s discreet and fast to deploy. However, low-light performance is not great, and the fixed lens can’t adapt well to varying shooting scenarios. Sony is larger and more noticeable but provides superior image quality and better low-light IQ. If subtlety is king, Olympus offers ease, but for image quality and versatility, Sony edges ahead.

Macro Photography

The VG-145 offers a 1 cm macro focusing distance, which can produce decent close-up shots given the tiny sensor. Still, the Sony system with compatible dedicated macro lenses and its focus precision wins out for true macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astrophotography

In challenging low-light and long-exposure scenarios, the Sony’s sensor technology, higher native ISO, and superior noise control make it far better suited for nightscapes and astrophotography. The Olympus is limited by noise and lack of long exposure flexibility.

Video Capabilities

Video is where the Sony A6100 really flexes its muscles: 4K recording at 30p with efficient codecs, microphone input, touch focus, and slow-motion options. The Olympus can only manage 720p HD video in a simple motion JPEG format without external mic support. Anyone serious about video will find the Sony far more capable.

Travel Photography

Travel photography demands versatility, reliability, and battery life. The Olympus’s ultra-compact size and decent zoom make it excellent for casual travel snaps, although battery life is shorter (around 160 shots). The Sony provides a more balanced approach with superior image quality and more battery life (approx 420 shots), though the size and weight mean carrying a bigger kit.

Professional Use

Professional photographers require raw image capture, manual controls, fast interface, and a robust ecosystem. The Sony’s raw file support, manual exposure modes, and extensive lens options meet these demands well. The Olympus cannot shoot raw, has no manual exposure, and its features are too limited for professional workflows.

Here is a summarized visualization of scores I assigned based on these criteria:

And broken down by photographic discipline:

Connectivity, Battery, and Storage: Everyday Practicalities

For workflow and convenience, the Sony again outshines with built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth for easy wireless image transfer and remote control apps. It supports SD, SDHC, SDXC, and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards. The Olympus carries only simple USB 2.0 connectivity, no wireless, and just SD/SDHC support.

Battery life of the A6100 also more than doubles that of the VG-145, which makes a big difference on trips or extended shooting sessions.

Summarizing the Strengths and Weaknesses

Olympus VG-145 Pros:

  • Incredibly small, lightweight, pocketable
  • Simple to operate for beginners or casual use
  • Moderate zoom for everyday snapshots
  • Affordable (often found used at low prices)

Olympus VG-145 Cons:

  • Small CCD sensor limits image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance
  • No manual controls or raw shooting
  • No viewfinder, basic fixed screen
  • No continuous autofocus or video below full HD

Sony A6100 Pros:

  • Large APS-C sensor with excellent image quality and low-light capability
  • Fast hybrid autofocus with eye and animal tracking
  • 11 fps continuous shooting for action
  • 4K video with microphone port
  • Tilting touchscreen and high-res EVF
  • Extensive lens ecosystem and accessory support
  • Wireless connectivity and robust battery life

Sony A6100 Cons:

  • Larger and heavier than ultracompacts
  • No environmental sealing
  • More expensive

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re after uncomplicated point-and-shoot simplicity, pocket portability for casual holiday snaps, and a very budget-friendly entry to photography, the Olympus VG-145 meets that need gracefully. Its fixed lens and limited features keep the learning curve flat and the packing list light.

However, for photographers with growing ambitions, serious enthusiasts, or professionals needing a versatile, high-performance tool, the Sony Alpha A6100 stands out clearly. It offers excellent image quality, creative control, and adaptability across genres from portraits to wildlife and video - plus the flexibility to expand your system over time.

In my experience, the Sony A6100 continues to offer tremendous value, combining cutting-edge hybrid AF, raw file shooting, and sharp 4K video in a compact mirrorless body that suits many different photography styles. The Olympus VG-145, though dated and basic, remains a charming option for those who prize convenience above all else.

Closing Thoughts: Matching Gear to Vision

Buying camera gear is ultimately about aligning your equipment with your creative goals and lifestyle. The Olympus VG-145 is a snapshot camera at heart, designed for straightforward, automatic shooting with a no-fuss user experience.

The Sony A6100 is a much more capable tool that beckons you to explore manual controls, specialized lenses, and push the boundaries of technical image capture.

If you want my personal advice: budget permitting, invest in the Sony system. Its future-proofing ability and quality will serve well as your skills and projects evolve, ensuring you remain inspired to shoot and create.

For quick, easy photos without gear fuss, the Olympus holds nostalgic appeal but will likely feel limiting quite fast.

I hope this detailed comparison helps illuminate the strengths and tradeoffs of both these cameras. Selecting the right one means answering what matters most to you: ultimate image quality and control, or convenient simplicity and portability.

Happy shooting!

Sample Images From Both Cameras To Illustrate Differences In Real-Life Scenarios

Notice the sharpness, color depth, and low light performance gaps here - hallmarks of sensor and lens quality beyond specs on paper.

Thank you for reading this in-depth comparison. Should you want personal guidance on lenses or settings for either camera, don’t hesitate to reach out or check my extended hands-on reviews and video tutorials.

Until next time – keep your eye on the light, and your finger on the shutter!

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A6100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-145 and Sony A6100
 Olympus VG-145Sony Alpha a6100
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VG-145 Sony Alpha a6100
Category Ultracompact Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-07-27 2019-08-28
Physical type Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Bionz X
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 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600 32000
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 425
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.40 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Flash off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless, hi-speed
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 120 grams (0.26 pounds) 396 grams (0.87 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 120 x 67 x 59mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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 images 420 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $0 $748