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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus TG-860

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
42
Overall
40

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus TG-860 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Revealed February 2008
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-5
Olympus TG-860
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Later Model is Olympus TG-870
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus TG-860 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Olympus E-3 and Olympus TG-860, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Waterproof and they are both manufactured by Olympus. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and TG-860 (16MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and TG-860 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-3 was released 8 years prior to the TG-860 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a quick view of how the E-3 matches up against the TG-860 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus TG-860

 E-3 TG-860 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Olympus E-3

 TG-860 E-3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015February 2008Newer by 84 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Olympus TG-860

 E-3 TG-860 
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus TG-860 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-3 enjoys exterior measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) and the Olympus TG-860 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs).

See the Olympus E-3 and Olympus TG-860 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the E-3 vs the TG-860.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus TG-860 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and TG-860 is 56 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus TG-860 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus TG-860 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and TG-860.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-3 due to its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Olympus TG-860 will give more detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged E-3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus TG-860 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus TG-860 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus TG-860 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-3
Portrait photography with Olympus TG-860
56
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography advice
Olympus TG-860 Street photography advice
69
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
69
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-3
Sports photography with Olympus TG-860
57
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
48
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus TG-860 as a Travel photography camera
55
environment proofing
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
71
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (21mm)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus TG-860 as a Landscape photography camera
56
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
tiny screen (2.5")
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
47
reasonably wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
weather proof
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging factors
Olympus TG-860 Vlogging factors
18
no video recording
33
reasonably wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone support
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus TG-860 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Olympus TG-860
 Olympus E-3Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-3 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860
Class Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Revealed 2008-02-20 2015-02-06
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 1600)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 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), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Yes
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 890 gr (1.96 lb) 224 gr (0.49 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 571 not tested
Other
Battery life - 300 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $670 $279