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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus TG-870

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43

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

Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Launched October 2019
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M5 II
  • Refreshed by OM System OM-5
Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus TG-860
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus TG-870 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus TG-870, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact and both are produced by Olympus. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and TG-870 (16MP) and the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and TG-870 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M5 III was unveiled 3 years after the TG-870 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the E-M5 III matches up versus the TG-870 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 E-M5 III TG-870 
LaunchedOctober 2019January 2016Newer by 46 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

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

 TG-870 E-M5 III 

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

 E-M5 III TG-870 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing

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

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 III offers outside measurements of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") and a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Olympus TG-870 has proportions of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus TG-870 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M5 III against the TG-870.

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

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 III and TG-870 is 80 and 91 respectively.

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

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

More often than not, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading a spec sheet. The pic underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 III and TG-870.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-M5 III with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M5 III will offer greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern E-M5 III will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-870 as a Portrait photography camera
77
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
36
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography features
Olympus TG-870 Street photography features
83
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
comes with focus via touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
65
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competition (221 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Sports photography information
Olympus TG-870 Sports photography information
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery life (310 per charge)
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery pack (300 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Travel photography with Olympus TG-870
77
environment sealing
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
good MP (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery life (310 per charge)
69
great battery pack (300 CIPA)
environment proofing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (21mm)
heavier than competition (221 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography highlights
Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography highlights
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery life (310 shots)
50
fairly wide (21mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
great battery pack (300 shots)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging details
Olympus TG-870 Vlogging details
84
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
good video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic socket
32
fairly wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
heavier than competition (221g)
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus TG-870 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus TG-870
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIOlympus Stylus Tough TG-870
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870
Class Advanced Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2019-10-17 2016-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII TruePic VII
Sensor type MOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 121 -
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 distance - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
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 rate 30.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 1600)
Flash modes Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 414 gr (0.91 lbs) 221 gr (0.49 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 310 images 300 images
Form 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 recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $1,199 $280