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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL2
Olympus TG-1 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 112 x 67 x 30mm
  • Introduced May 2012
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS Overview

Let's look much closer at the Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are produced by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the TG-1 iHS (12MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and TG-1 iHS (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL3 was manufactured 7 months prior to the TG-1 iHS which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-1 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the E-PL3 scores against the TG-1 iHS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus TG-1 iHS

 E-PL3 TG-1 iHS 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-1 iHS over the Olympus E-PL3

 TG-1 iHS E-PL3 
IntroducedMay 2012September 2011Newer by 7 months
Screen resolution610k460kClearer screen (+150k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus TG-1 iHS

 E-PL3 TG-1 iHS 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL3 enjoys physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Olympus TG-1 iHS has specifications of 112mm x 67mm x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL3 versus the TG-1 iHS.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and TG-1 iHS is 88 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and TG-1 iHS.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PL3 provides the bigger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh less difficult. The more aged E-PL3 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-1 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
27
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography advice
Olympus TG-1 iHS Street photography advice
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus TG-1 iHS as a Sports photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus TG-1 iHS as a Travel photography camera
44
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery life (300 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
68
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
weather proof
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography info
Olympus TG-1 iHS Landscape photography info
61
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 shots)
missing Timelapse function
46
relatively wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
better than average battery pack (350 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging info
Olympus TG-1 iHS Vlogging info
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
36
relatively wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-1 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus TG-1 iHS
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Introduced 2011-09-20 2012-05-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic VI TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 3968 x 2976
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.0-4.9
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 610 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 313 grams (0.69 lbs) 230 grams (0.51 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 112 x 67 x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 350 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 LI90B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 and 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $399 $399