• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 130.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Olympus VG-120 advantages over Sony NEX-3N

  • Less expensive
    $140 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 34 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Olympus VG-120

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 1.44 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 160 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 14.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality for an entry-level mirrorless; User interface ideal for consumers stepping up from point-and-shoots; Speedy and accurate autofocusing; Zoom lever on body; Tremendous value.

  • Lack of hot shoe or accessory port limits more advanced shooting; No electronic viewfinder; Performance lags behind previous model, especially on burst shooting speed.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus Stylus-5010

Olympus VG-120
Olympus Stylus-5010
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $106
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out
Sony NEX-3N
Olympus Stylus-5010
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $106
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony DSC-W560

Olympus VG-120
Sony DSC-W560
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony NEX-3N
Sony DSC-W560
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon A2300

Olympus VG-120
Canon A2300
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
Sony NEX-3N
Canon A2300
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Olympus VG-120
Samsung NX1100
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony NEX-3N
Samsung NX1100
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Olympus VG-120
Sony NEX-5T
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5T
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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