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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3

Portability
85 Imaging
55 Features
78 Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
Portability
90 Imaging
40 Features
46 Overall
42

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(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)
  • 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
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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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus TG-3

		

		

			
 E-PL9 TG-3 
LaunchedFebruary 2018March 2014More recent by 47 months
Manual focus  More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper 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 dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
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.
Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 size comparison
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 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
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 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Olympus TG-3
73
 you can focus manually
 good  resolution (16MP)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 provides face detect focusing
 delivers RAW files
37
 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
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Street Comparison
Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
Street photography with Olympus TG-3
84
 has a tilting screen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 delivers RAW files
 has touch focus
59
 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)
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Sports Comparison
Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography factors
Olympus TG-3 Sports photography factors
69
 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
47
 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
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Travel Comparison
 Olympus E-PL9 as a Travel photography camera
 Olympus TG-3 as a Travel photography camera
77
 connects via bluetooth
 has touch focus
 good  resolution (16 megapixels)
 built-in flash
 does not feature selfie friendly display
74
 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
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography highlights
80
 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
56
 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
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging info
Olympus TG-3 Vlogging info
35
 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
34
 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)
Photography Glossary
	

		

			
Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-3 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus TG-3
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Olympus 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