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Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus TG-870

Portability
80
Imaging
53
Features
84
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus TG-870 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M5
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus TG-860
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus TG-870 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus TG-870, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact and both are created by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-M5 II (16MP) and the TG-870 (16MP) is very similar but the E-M5 II (Four Thirds) and TG-870 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M5 II was revealed 11 months before the TG-870 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-M5 II matches up versus the TG-870 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Olympus TG-870

 E-M5 II TG-870 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Olympus E-M5 II

 TG-870 E-M5 II 
RevealedJanuary 2016February 2015More recent by 11 months

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus TG-870

 E-M5 II TG-870 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus TG-870 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 II features physical dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") along with a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) whilst the Olympus TG-870 has specifications of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus TG-870 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M5 II against the TG-870.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus TG-870 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 II and TG-870 is 80 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus TG-870 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus TG-870 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing technical specs. The visual underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 II and TG-870.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor measurements. The E-M5 II has got the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF less difficult. The older E-M5 II is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus TG-870 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus TG-870 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus TG-870 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Portrait photography advice
Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography advice
71
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
36
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Street photography details
Olympus TG-870 Street photography details
82
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
weather sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
65
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competition (221 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography advice
Olympus TG-870 Sports photography advice
65
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
bad battery pack (310 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
51
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (300 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography details
Olympus TG-870 Travel photography details
74
weather sealing
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery pack (310 per charge)
69
better than average battery pack (300 CIPA)
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (21mm)
more heavy than competition (221 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Landscape photography information
Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography information
74
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
bad battery pack (310 shots)
50
reasonably wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (300 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Vlogging camera
Olympus TG-870 as a Vlogging camera
82
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic port
32
reasonably wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competition (221 grams)
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus TG-870 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus TG-870
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIOlympus Stylus Tough TG-870
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870
Category Advanced Mirrorless Ultracompact
Introduced 2015-02-06 2016-01-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII TruePic VII
Sensor type MOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 81 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 1600)
Flash options Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 469g (1.03 lb) 221g (0.49 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 896 not tested
Other
Battery life 310 pictures 300 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $699 $280