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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus TG-870

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus TG-870 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Introduced February 2020
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus TG-860
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus TG-870 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus TG-870, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact and both of them are produced by Olympus. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and TG-870 (16MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and TG-870 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 III was revealed 4 years later than the TG-870 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-M1 III scores vs the TG-870 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus TG-870

 E-M1 III TG-870 
IntroducedFebruary 2020January 2016Fresher by 50 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 TG-870 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus TG-870

 E-M1 III TG-870 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus TG-870 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 III enjoys exterior dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Olympus TG-870 has proportions of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus TG-870 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 III versus the TG-870.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus TG-870 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and TG-870 is 67 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus TG-870 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus TG-870 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The visual below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and TG-870.

All in all, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 III using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M1 III will produce extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 III is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus TG-870 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus TG-870 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus TG-870 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography features
Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography features
77
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW formats
36
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography highlights
Olympus TG-870 Street photography highlights
78
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
weather sealing
above average ISO range (25,600)
65
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than others in class (221 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Sports photography camera
Olympus TG-870 as a Sports photography camera
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery power (300 CIPA)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Olympus TG-870
79
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
69
great battery power (300 shots)
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (21mm)
heavier than others in class (221g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Landscape photography with Olympus TG-870
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
50
reasonably wide (21mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
great battery power (300 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 III
Vlogging with Olympus TG-870
79
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have external microphone socket
32
reasonably wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no mic jack
heavier than others in class (221 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus TG-870 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus TG-870
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus Stylus Tough TG-870
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870
Category Pro Mirrorless Ultracompact
Introduced 2020-02-11 2016-01-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW support
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 -
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 1600)
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580g (1.28 lbs) 221g (0.49 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 420 photos 300 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 2 Single
Launch price $1,800 $280