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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870

Portability
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
Portability
91 Imaging
41 Features
46 Overall
43

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Released October 2013
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus TG-860
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact and they are both designed by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the TG-870 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and TG-870 (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 was revealed 3 years prior to the TG-870 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-M1 grades against the TG-870 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary 
	
	

		

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

		

		

			
 E-M1 TG-870 
Focus manually  Very precise focus
Display resolution1037k921kClearer display (+116k dot)
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

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

		

		

			
 TG-870 E-M1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016October 2013Newer by 26 months
		

	

	
	

		

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

		

		

			
 E-M1 TG-870 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen  No selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 offers exterior dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Olympus TG-870 has dimensions of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 versus the TG-870.
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 size comparison
Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and TG-870 is 71 and 91 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Often, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The pic underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and TG-870.
As you can see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same resolution but different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 includes the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF easier. The more aged E-M1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.
	
			Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

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

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography factors
Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography factors
71
 you can focus manually
 flash sync is higher than normal (1/320 seconds)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 offers face detection focus
 supports RAW formats
36
 MP count good (16 megapixels)
 supports face detection autofocus
 no manual focus
 lack of manual exposure
 external flash not possible
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Street photography info
Olympus TG-870 Street photography info
77
 has a tilting screen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 supports RAW formats
 boasts touch focus
 environment sealing
 lighter than average in class (497 grams)
 good ISO range (25,600)
65
 screen tilts
 image stabilization (Optical)
 weather proofing
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW format
 heavier than competitors (221g)
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Sports Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Sports photography factors
Olympus TG-870 Sports photography factors
69
 high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 offers tracking autofocus
 environment sealing
 sensor has phase detect auto focus
 terrible battery pack (350 CIPA)
51
 image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count good (16MP)
 supports tracking autofocus
 weather proofing
 better than average battery life (300 per charge)
 no shutter priority mode
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Travel photography information
Olympus TG-870 Travel photography information
65
 lighter than average in class (497g)
 environment sealing
 boasts touch focus
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
 does not have selfie friendly screen
69
 better than average battery life (300 per charge)
 weather proofing
 MP count good (16 megapixels)
 has built in flash
 relatively wide (21mm)
 heavier than competitors (221 grams)
 display is not selfie friendly
 slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 as a Landscape photography camera
 Olympus TG-870 as a Landscape photography camera
72
 you can focus manually
 change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen is a decent size (3")
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 good ISO range (25,600)
 supports RAW formats
 environment sealing
 terrible battery pack (350 per charge)
50
 relatively wide (21mm)
 screen is a good size (3")
 image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count good (16MP)
 weather proofing
 better than average battery life (300 CIPA)
 no manual focus
 can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
 slow max aperture (f3.5)
 lack of manual exposure
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Vlogging info
Olympus TG-870 Vlogging info
36
 touch screen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 offers face detection focus
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 includes external microphone jack
 lighter than average in class (497 grams)
 does not have selfie friendly screen
32
 relatively wide (21mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 supports face detection autofocus
 video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 slow max aperture (f3.5)
 display is not selfie friendly
 lack of external mic socket
 heavier than competitors (221g)
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Olympus TG-870
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870
Class Pro Mirrorless Ultracompact
Released 2013-10-28 2016-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePIC VII TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS 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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW images    
Autofocusing
Manual focusing    
Touch focus    
AF continuous    
AF single    
Tracking AF    
AF selectice    
AF center weighted    
Multi area AF    
Live view AF    
Face detect focusing    
Contract detect focusing    
Phase detect focusing    
Total focus points 81 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch functionality    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 1600)
Flash options Flash Auto, 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
Hot shoe    
AEB    
WB bracketing    
Fastest flash synchronize 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 497 gr (1.10 lb) 221 gr (0.49 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 300 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording    
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $799 $280