Olympus VG-145 vs Sony HX90V: An Experienced Photographer’s In-Depth Comparison

When it comes to choosing a compact camera, the market offers a dizzying array of options - from ultra-basic point-and-shoots to feature-packed superzooms. Today, we’re setting Olympus’s minimalist ultracompact VG-145 against Sony’s turbocharged small sensor superzoom, the HX90V. Both are portable pocket-sized tools, but they cater to very different photographer mindsets and shooting scenarios.

Having tested thousands of cameras throughout my 15+ years behind the viewfinder and in the lab, I know that spec sheets only tell half the story. In this deep dive, I’ll share my hands-on insights, dissecting sensor tech, autofocus, lens versatility, ergonomics, and real-world image quality. Whether you’re a casual snapshooter or a travel-loving enthusiast with an eye for detail, this matchup will help you pick the right compact warrior.

Pocket-Sized Showdown: Compactness and Handling

Before we talk pixels and autofocus, let’s address the camera you’ll actually hold and carry - the very foundation of your shooting experience.

The Olympus VG-145 is a marvel of minimalism. With a mere 96 x 57 x 19 mm footprint and weighing just 120 grams, it’s almost the size of a credit card and slips effortlessly into any pocket. This ultracompact design naturally sacrifices some handling comforts, but Olympus aimed for something you’ll never hesitate to bring along. If discretion and hassle-free portability are your top priorities, the VG-145 is a compelling choice.

By contrast, the Sony HX90V comes in at a still-compact 102 x 58 x 36 mm and weighs 245 grams - roughly double the VG-145’s heft. The extra bulk houses a much longer zoom range and a richer feature set. Its ergonomics also benefit from this added girth: side grips, a pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF), and a tilting 3-inch LCD make it more comfortable and composable.

Side-by-side, the Olympus emphasizes pure portability, while Sony prioritizes handling and control without sacrificing much pocketability. For my money, if you’re carrying a camera all day, the HX90V strikes the sweeter balance between size and usability. But don’t underestimate how liberating the VG-145’s featherweight convenience can be when you want to travel light.

Design Philosophy in Focus: Control Layout and Display

Looking at the top and rear control layouts reveals the intended user experience.

The VG-145 keeps things intentionally simple - a fixed 3-inch TFT color LCD with only 230k dots resolution and no touchscreen or electronic viewfinder. Olympus chose a fixed LCD presumably to keep costs and size low but this compromises compositional flexibility outdoors and in bright light.

In contrast, the Sony HX90V packs a lot more control into a slightly larger body. Its 3-inch tilting LCD boasts a sharp 921k-dot resolution, and the inclusion of a pop-up EVF with 638 pixels and full coverage offers vital compositional aid in sunshine or tricky angles. The tilt screen is perfect for low or high shooting points, and while not touchscreen-enabled, it still empowers manual focus and creative framing.

The Sony’s user interface also supports aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual exposure modes - features photographers love to tinker with. The Olympus lumps you into full-auto or program modes only, limiting control for enthusiasts.

In my time testing these cameras, the HX90V’s interface and responsive EVF make for a smoother shooting experience overall, especially outdoors. The VG-145 feels more like a substitute pocket camera - simple but limiting.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality Differences

This is where the rubber truly meets the road - or perhaps the lens meets the light.

Both cameras share a 1/2.3-inch sensor size measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, with a total area of approximately 28.07 mm². This is a fairly small sensor class common in compact cameras. However, sensor technology dates back to 2011 in the VG-145 vs 2015 in the Sony HX90V, a significant gap in development.

The Olympus sports a 14MP CCD sensor paired with the TruePic III processor. CCDs were common a decade ago but are known for higher noise levels at elevated ISOs and limited dynamic range - a real detriment to image quality in tricky lighting. The VG-145's max native ISO tops out at 1600 and cannot shoot in RAW format, restricting post-processing flexibility.

Sony, on the other hand, employs an 18MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor (BSI-CMOS) - a more modern technology that typically excels in low light, noise control, and dynamic range. The HX90V’s sensor also supports higher sensitivity settings up to ISO 12800 (though real-world usable levels are lower), and while it lacks RAW support, the improved JPEG processing with the Bionz X engine delivers excellent image quality out of the box.

In practical shooting, the HX90V outperforms the VG-145 notably in low light situations and delivers sharper, cleaner photos with better color depth. The VG-145’s CCD sensor images show more noise and less detail recovery in shadows - a result of both sensor tech and older image processing pipelines.

For photographers interested in portrait or landscape work, the Sony’s sensor and processor deliver significant advantages in image fidelity and dynamic range.

Lens and Zoom Range: Versatility on Demand

Now to one of the most tangible differences between these two compacts - their fixed lenses and zoom capabilities.

Olympus’s VG-145 offers a 26-130 mm equivalent focal range (5x zoom) with a maximum aperture ranging from f/2.8 at wide angle to f/6.5 at telephoto. This range covers moderate wide to medium telephoto perspectives, suitable for everyday snapshots and casual portraiture. The lens can focus as close as 1 cm, making it surprisingly decent for macro shots despite no image stabilization system.

The Sony HX90V is a veritable zoom beast: sporting an ultra-long 24-720 mm equivalent focal length (30x zoom) with an aperture from f/3.5 to f/6.4. That means from near wide-angle to serious telephoto reach suitable for wildlife and sports snaps, while the lens offers optical image stabilization effectively counteracting handshake at longer focal lengths.

While the Olympus’s lens has a slight edge in starting aperture for brighter wide-angle shots, the tradeoff for Sony’s 30x zoom is well balanced by in-camera stabilization and higher resolution. The longer reach on the HX90V opens up creative possibilities unreachable by the VG-145’s shorter zoom.

Autofocus: Speed and Accuracy in Real Life

Autofocus (AF) systems are the unsung heroes behind every sharp photo - especially with moving subjects.

The Olympus VG-145 offers contrast-detection AF with face detection but lacks continuous AF, tracking, or selective focus modes. It does not support manual focus or sophisticated AF assist.

Sony’s HX90V features a smarter autofocus system with contrast detection and face detection, plus continuous AF, AF tracking, and selective area focusing. This enables better subject tracking for action or erratic moving targets, and manual focus capability gives more creative control over depth of field.

In my hands-on testing, the HX90V’s AF locks quicker and tracks faces or subjects more reliably, which is critical for wildlife, sports, or street photography. The VG-145 can feel sluggish and less certain in low contrast or rapidly changing scenes.

Shooting Modes and Video Features

The Olympus VG-145 is very much a point-and-shoot device, providing basic video capture at 720p HD resolution and 30 fps max, recorded in Motion JPEG. Video quality is average at best, and no external mic or advanced video frame rates are supported.

Sony’s HX90V provides full HD 1080p video at up to 60p, utilizing better compression codecs like AVCHD and XAVC S for superior footage quality. The inclusion of optical stabilization, zoom during recording, and several flash modes enrich creative options.

Neither camera supports 4K video or microphone/ headphone ports, keeping video capabilities basic but functional for casual users.

Battery Life and Storage

Beyond imaging, reliability matters. VG-145’s battery comfortably lasts around 160 shots per charge and relies on the LI-70B battery pack. This may feel restrictive for daylong excursions.

Sony’s HX90V nearly doubles that endurance with approximately 360 shots per charge using the NP-BX1 battery - a substantial advantage when traveling or during extended outings.

Both cameras use a single SD card for storage, though the HX90V supports SDXC and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Duo, providing more flexible storage options.

Real-World Performance for Different Types of Photography

Let’s break down how these cameras fare across popular photography genres, integrating sample results and my shooting experience.

Olympus VG 145 front Olympus VG 145 screen back Sony HX90V front Sony HX90V screen back

Portrait Photography

Sony’s face detection autofocus and higher resolution sensor consistently rendered better skin tones and pleasant bokeh at wide apertures, even if limited by lens speed. Olympus’s VG-145 struggles with skin tone accuracy and offers less pleasing background blur due to smaller max aperture and older processing.

Landscape Photography

The HX90V’s 18MP sensor delivers sharper, more detailed landscapes with richer dynamic range. The VG-145, with its modest 14MP CCD and no RAW support, yields flatter images with less shadow detail. Weather sealing is absent in both, so caution outdoors.

Wildlife Photography

Sony’s 30x zoom and autofocus tracking shine here, enabling impactful telephoto shots with less camera shake thanks to optical stabilization. The VG-145’s short zoom and slow AF limit wildlife shooting to closer, less dynamic opportunities.

Sports Photography

Continuous AF, 10 fps burst (in HX90V), and rapid LCD refresh give Sony a clear advantage shooting sports. Olympus is not designed for action, with no continuous AF and slower shutter speeds.

Street Photography

VG-145’s small size and quiet operation make it discreet for street work, but the Sony’s EVF and faster AF make it easier to quickly frame and capture decisive moments - balanced against its slightly bigger size.

Macro Photography

The VG-145’s ability to focus as close as 1 cm is pretty impressive for a budget ultracompact, making for crisp close-ups. Sony’s macro focus at 5 cm is decent, but stabilization and higher resolution give it a slight edge in image quality at close range.

Night and Astro Photography

Sony’s superior ISO performance and longer shutter speed range allow for more usable low light and night sky shots. Olympus’s ISO ceiling at 1600 and noisier sensor make night photography difficult without a tripod and external lighting.

Video Capabilities

Sony’s 1080p/60 fps video output is far superior, with better stabilization and codecs. Olympus falls short with basic 720p MJPEG videos that look dated quickly.

Travel Photography

Considering zoom versatility, battery life, and image quality, Sony is a more capable all-in-one travel companion. Olympus might appeal to those who prize extreme portability and simplicity.

Professional Use

Neither camera targets professional workflows due to small sensor size and limited raw/video capabilities. Yet, Sony's manual controls and higher-quality output make it a better backup option for professionals wanting a versatile travel compact.

Durability, Connectivity, and Extras

Neither model offers environmental sealing or rugged features - no waterproofing, dustproofing, or shock resistance - common compromises in compacts.

Connectivity-wise, the Olympus VG-145 has none, not even Wi-Fi. The Sony HX90V has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, plus integrated GPS - very handy for travel photographers wanting location tagging and easy smartphone sharing.

Storage options favor Sony with compatibility extending to SDXC cards and proprietary media.

What’s the Verdict? Scorecard of Strengths and Weaknesses

It’s clear from hands-on use and specifications that the Sony HX90V vastly outperforms the Olympus VG-145 in image quality, autofocus, zoom versatility, and video capability. Its richer controls and modern sensor architecture translate into noticeably better photos and wider creative freedom.

However, the VG-145 is not without merit. Its featherweight, truly pocketable design appeals to ultra-minimalists or absolute beginners who want straightforward operation and the smallest possible camera for casual snaps. It’s a great companion for those whose primary camera is a smartphone but occasionally want something simple and standalone.

Final Recommendations Tailored to Your Needs

• For entry-level casual shooters or very budget-conscious buyers who want a no-fuss ultracompact:
  The Olympus VG-145 delivers ease of use, lightweight carrying, and simple snapshots. Expect basic images, limited controls, and average video.

• For enthusiast travelers, street photographers, and those wanting a versatile all-in-one superzoom compact with better image quality:
  The Sony HX90V is a clear winner. It balances powerful zoom, solid autofocus, comfortable ergonomics, and decent battery life. While no pro-level RAW or 4K video, its results reliably outclass the VG-145.

• For wildlife, sports, or low-light shooters on a compact platform:
  Opt for the HX90V due to its faster AF, longer zoom, and higher ISO capability.

• For those prioritizing ultra portability above all else:
  No other camera in this comparison beats the VG-145’s size and weight advantages.

Closing Thoughts

In this matchup of a barebones ultracompact against a sophisticated small sensor superzoom, the Sony HX90V exemplifies mid-2010s compact innovation with tangible benefits across the board. The Olympus VG-145, while quaint and pocket-friendly, feels like a relic given its limitations - yet that relic status might charm true minimalists or first-timers.

I’ve carried both on shoots, from city streets to coastal landscapes, and I can confidently say the HX90V’s image quality and zoom reach justify its premium in most cases. But when I want to travel featherlight without thinking, Olympus’s VG-145 reminds me that sometimes less is more.

Thanks for joining me in this geeky, pixel-peeping adventure. If you have questions about these cameras or want recommendations tailored to your style, just shout - I’ve got you covered!