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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-3

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-3 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
  • Announced November 2011
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PM2
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
  • Introduced March 2014
  • Renewed by Olympus TG-4
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-3 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus TG-3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof and both are created by Olympus. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and TG-3 (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and TG-3 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM1 was revealed 3 years prior to the TG-3 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-PM1 scores versus the TG-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus TG-3

 E-PM1 TG-3 
Focus manually More precise focus

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Olympus E-PM1

 TG-3 E-PM1 
IntroducedMarch 2014November 2011Newer by 28 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus TG-3

 E-PM1 TG-3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM1 provides 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) and the Olympus TG-3 has sizing of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus TG-3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PM1 and the TG-3.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and TG-3 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by going through specs. The picture here might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and TG-3.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus TG-3 will provide greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged E-PM1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography factors
Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography factors
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
37
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography factors
Olympus TG-3 Street photography factors
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than average (247 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus TG-3 as a Sports photography camera
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
no phase detect AF
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery life (330 CIPA)
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography features
Olympus TG-3 Travel photography features
45
missing Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
74
good battery life (330 per charge)
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than average (247 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography factors
Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography factors
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
56
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
environment proofing
good battery life (330 CIPA)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging details
Olympus TG-3 Vlogging details
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than average (247 grams)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus TG-3
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Olympus Tough TG-3
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus Tough TG-3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Announced 2011-11-23 2014-03-31
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI 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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lbs) 247 gr (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots 330 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $499 $350