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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-3

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Olympus TG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Introduced March 2014
  • Later Model is Olympus TG-4
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-3 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-M1 II versus Olympus TG-3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof and they are both offered by Olympus. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and TG-3 (16MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and TG-3 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 II was introduced 2 years later than the TG-3 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-M1 II scores against the TG-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus TG-3

 E-M1 II TG-3 
IntroducedSeptember 2016March 2014Fresher by 31 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 TG-3 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus TG-3

 E-M1 II TG-3 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 II provides external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") and a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Olympus TG-3 has measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 II versus Olympus TG-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 II against the TG-3.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and TG-3 is 68 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing purely by going through specs. The visual below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 II and TG-3.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II using its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Olympus E-M1 II will show greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 II will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography details
Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography details
75
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
37
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography info
Olympus TG-3 Street photography info
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers focus via touch
weather proofing
lighter than competition (574g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than others (247g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography advice
Olympus TG-3 Sports photography advice
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery life (350 CIPA)
47
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
good battery pack (330 shots)
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Travel photography with Olympus TG-3
72
lighter than competition (574 grams)
weather proofing
offers focus via touch
megapixel count good (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
low battery life (350 per charge)
74
good battery pack (330 per charge)
weather proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than others (247 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus TG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
76
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has double storage slots
low battery life (350 shots)
56
decently wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather proof
good battery pack (330 CIPA)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Olympus TG-3 as a Vlogging camera
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone port
lighter than competition (574g)
34
decently wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than others (247g)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus TG-3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus Tough TG-3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus Tough TG-3
Category Pro Mirrorless Waterproof
Revealed 2016-09-19 2014-03-31
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MOV, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 grams (1.27 pounds) 247 grams (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photos 330 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots Two 1
Retail price $1,700 $350