Olympus VG-120 Camera Review: Affordable and User-Friendly

Looking for a new camera that won't break the bank? Look no further than the Olympus VG-120! This budget-friendly camera packs a punch with its easy-to-use interface and impressive features. In this blog post, we'll explore everything you need to know about this popular camera, including its specs, performance, and overall value.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus VG-120 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 06 2011

Announced

14 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight120g
MSRP$139USD

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Overview of the VG-120

When it comes to capturing life's precious moments, having a reliable camera by your side is crucial. But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs. That's where the Olympus VG-120 comes in – a compact and affordable camera that promises to deliver high-quality results. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the features of the Olympus VG-120 camera, including its megapixels, zoom capabilities, and shooting modes. By the end, you'll have a better understanding of whether this camera is the right choice for you. So let's get started!

Olympus VG-120 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus VG-120 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Affordable price point
Compact and lightweight design
User-friendly interface
14 megapixel sensor for high-quality images
5x optical zoom lens for versatility
Image stabilization technology for sharper photos
Multiple scene modes for easy customization
Built-in flash for low-light situations
HD video recording capability

Cons

Limited manual control options
No viewfinder, only a LCD display
No manual focus capabilities
Lower battery life compared to some competitors
Limited ISO range for low-light performance
No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
Limited storage capacity and no external memory slot
Slow response time between shots

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus VG-120

Weather sealed
Dimensions96 x 57 x 19mm
Weight120g
Thickness19mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Olympus VG-120 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeUltracompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Olympus VG-120 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Olympus VG-120 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the VG-120 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus VG-120 has a 14MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 14 pixels. Olympus VG-120 has a native ISO range of 80 - 1600 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jan 06 2011

Announced

80 - 1600

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4288 x 3216 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Olympus VG-120 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the VG-120 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC
Battery Life160 shots
Battery ModelLI-70B
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus VG-120 supports SD/SDHC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Olympus VG-120 uses the LI-70B model of battery pack. This is rated for 160 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Olympus VG-120 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Olympus VG-120 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Olympus VG-120 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Olympus VG-120?

The Olympus VG-120 features a CCD sensor

Is the Olympus VG-120 weather sealed?

No the VG-120 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus VG-120 announced?

The Olympus VG-120 was announced on Jan 06 2011

Does the Olympus VG-120 have in-body image stabilization?

No the VG-120 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Olympus VG-120?

The VG-120 has a native ISO range of 80-1600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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