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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Overview

Below is a thorough review of the Olympus E-PM1 versus Olympus TG-850 iHS, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are sold by Olympus. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and TG-850 iHS (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was brought out 3 years prior to the TG-850 iHS and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the TG-850 iHS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 E-PM1 TG-850 iHS 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Olympus E-PM1

 TG-850 iHS E-PM1 
IntroducedJanuary 2014November 2011More recent by 26 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus TG-850 iHS

 E-PM1 TG-850 iHS 
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 features exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Olympus TG-850 iHS has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Olympus TG-850 iHS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the E-PM1 and the TG-850 iHS.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and TG-850 iHS is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and TG-850 iHS.

Clearly, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Olympus TG-850 iHS will deliver greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older E-PM1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
Olympus TG-850 iHS Portrait photography info
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
35
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
Street photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
69
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Sports photography camera
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect AF
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (330 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Travel photography camera
45
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
72
better than average battery pack (330 shots)
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (21mm)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography info
Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography info
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
50
really wide (21mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (330 shots)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging details
Olympus TG-850 iHS Vlogging details
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone socket
33
really wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone port
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus TG-850 iHS
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Launched 2011-11-23 2014-01-29
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4616 x 3464
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW format
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 35 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 1/2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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 sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Yes
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 pounds) 218 grams (0.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 330 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $499 $250