Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870
Portability
71 Imaging
53 Features
85 Overall
65
71 Imaging
53 Features
85 Overall
65
Portability
91 Imaging
41 Features
46 Overall
43
91 Imaging
41 Features
46 Overall
43
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 Key Specs
Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
(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)
(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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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.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe 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.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M1 & Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-M1 Gallery & Olympus TG-870 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Olympus TG-870
| E-M1 | TG-870 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | Very precise focus | ||
| Display resolution | 1037k |  | 921k | Clearer display (+116k dot) |
| Touch friendly display |  | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Olympus E-M1
| TG-870 | E-M1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | January 2016 |  | October 2013 | Newer by 26 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus TG-870
| E-M1 | TG-870 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting |  | Tilting | Tilting display |
| Display dimension | 3" |  | 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.
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.
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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography factors
Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography factors
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
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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Olympus E-M1 Street photography info
Olympus TG-870 Street photography info
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)
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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Olympus E-M1 Sports photography factors
Olympus TG-870 Sports photography factors
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)
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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Olympus E-M1 Travel photography information
Olympus TG-870 Travel photography information
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
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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Olympus E-M1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus TG-870 as a Landscape photography camera
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)
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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Olympus E-M1 Vlogging info
Olympus TG-870 Vlogging info
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
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)
Photography Glossary
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus TG-870 Specifications
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Olympus 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 |