Olympus E-1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS
59 Imaging
38 Features
36 Overall
37


91 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41
Olympus E-1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 1.8" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
- Introduced November 2003
- Renewed by Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
- 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
- Released January 2014

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Overview
Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS, one being a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are created by Olympus. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and TG-850 iHS (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizing.

The E-1 was announced 11 years prior to the TG-850 iHS and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera.
Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-1 matches up vs the TG-850 iHS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-1 and Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-1 Gallery and Olympus TG-850 iHS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS
E-1 | TG-850 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus |
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Olympus E-1
TG-850 iHS | E-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2014 | ![]() | November 2003 | More recent by 123 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 1.8" | Bigger screen (+1.2") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 134k | Clearer screen (+326k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus TG-850 iHS
E-1 | TG-850 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Olympus E-1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Physical Comparison
If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-1 provides exterior dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Olympus TG-850 iHS has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-1 compared to the TG-850 iHS.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and TG-850 iHS is 59 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Sensor Comparison
Often, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching technical specs. The photograph here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-1 and TG-850 iHS.
As you have seen, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-1 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Olympus TG-850 iHS will render extra detail with its extra 11MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older E-1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Specifications
Olympus E-1 | Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus E-1 | Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS |
Class | Pro DSLR | Waterproof |
Introduced | 2003-11-29 | 2014-01-29 |
Physical type | Large SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | TruePic VII |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 5 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | - |
Peak resolution | 2560 x 1920 | 4616 x 3464 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 3 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 21-105mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/3.5-5.7 |
Number of lenses | 45 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 1.8 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 134 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.48x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 1/2 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | - |
Flash options | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | H.264, Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Yes |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 735 gr (1.62 lbs) | 218 gr (0.48 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") | 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 pictures |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $1,700 | $250 |