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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
42
Overall
41

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
Olympus TG-860
(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
  • 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Newer Model is Olympus TG-870
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are offered by Olympus. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and TG-860 (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and TG-860 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM1 was revealed 4 years before the TG-860 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-PM1 grades vs the TG-860 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus TG-860

 E-PM1 TG-860 
Manually focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Olympus E-PM1

 TG-860 E-PM1 
IntroducedFebruary 2015November 2011More recent by 39 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus TG-860

 E-PM1 TG-860 
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 comes with exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Olympus TG-860 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the TG-860.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and TG-860 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements just by checking specs. The graphic here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and TG-860.

All in all, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 with its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Olympus TG-860 will resolve greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older E-PM1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
Portrait photography with Olympus TG-860
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
36
good MP (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography details
Olympus TG-860 Street photography details
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
69
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography highlights
Olympus TG-860 Sports photography highlights
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
lacks phase detect auto focus
49
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography features
Olympus TG-860 Travel photography features
45
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
environment proofing
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (21mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
Landscape photography with Olympus TG-860
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
missing Time Lapse function
48
decently wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
environment proofing
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
Vlogging with Olympus TG-860
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic jack
33
decently wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-860 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus TG-860
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Revealed 2011-11-23 2015-02-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 1600)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Yes
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lbs) 224 gr (0.49 lbs)
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 photographs 300 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $499 $279