Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3
Portability
85 Imaging
55 Features
78 Overall
64
85 Imaging
55 Features
78 Overall
64
Portability
90 Imaging
40 Features
46 Overall
42
90 Imaging
40 Features
46 Overall
42
Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 Key Specs
Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
- Released February 2018
- Older Model is Olympus E-PL8
Olympus TG-3
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 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
- 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
- Launched March 2014
- Refreshed by Olympus TG-4
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus TG-3, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof and both are sold by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the TG-3 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and TG-3 (1/2.3") have different sensor measurements.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe E-PL9 was unveiled 3 years later than the TG-3 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera.
Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-PL9 grades vs the TG-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL9 & Olympus Tough TG-3. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL9 Gallery & Olympus TG-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus TG-3
| E-PL9 | TG-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | February 2018 |  | March 2014 | More recent by 47 months |
| Manual focus |  | More exact focus | ||
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen resolution | 1040k |  | 460k | Crisper screen (+580k dot) |
| Touch screen |  | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Olympus E-PL9
| TG-3 | E-PL9 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus TG-3
| E-PL9 | TG-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal screen measurements |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither offers selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL9 offers exterior measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Olympus TG-3 has dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") along with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus TG-3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-PL9 vs the TG-3.
Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and TG-3 is 85 and 90 respectively.
Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements merely by looking at specifications. The photograph below should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL9 and TG-3.
To sum up, each of these cameras provide the same MP albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PL9 has the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallower DOF less difficult. The fresher E-PL9 should have a benefit in sensor technology.
Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and ViewFinder
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Olympus TG-3
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideStreet Comparison
Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
Street photography with Olympus TG-3
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has touch focus
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition (247g)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsSports Comparison
Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography factors
Olympus TG-3 Sports photography factors
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
lacks phase detect AF
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery life (330 CIPA)
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Photography GlossaryTravel Comparison
Olympus E-PL9 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus TG-3 as a Travel photography camera
connects via bluetooth
has touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not feature selfie friendly display
good battery life (330 CIPA)
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competition (247 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthLandscape Comparison
Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography highlights
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
quite wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
environment proofing
good battery life (330 CIPA)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banVlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging info
Olympus TG-3 Vlogging info
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of mic port
quite wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition (247 grams)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL9 | Olympus Tough TG-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Olympus | Olympus |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL9 | Olympus Tough TG-3 |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Waterproof |
| Released | 2018-02-08 | 2014-03-31 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | TruePic VIII | 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 area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
| Max enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
| Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Minimum enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 121 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | - | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | - | f/2.0-4.9 |
| Macro focusing distance | - | 1cm |
| Number of lenses | 107 | - |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 1,040k dot | 460k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display technology | - | TFT-LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 4s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
| Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
| Continuous shutter speed | 8.6 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 7.60 m (at ISO 200) | - |
| Flash modes | Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264, Motion JPEG |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 380 grams (0.84 lbs) | 247 grams (0.54 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") | 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 350 photographs | 330 photographs |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | LI-92B |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Retail price | $599 | $350 |