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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-870

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-870 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced May 2013
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus TG-860
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-870 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus TG-870, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact and both of them are created by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the TG-870 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and TG-870 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM2 was brought out 3 years before the TG-870 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-PM2 matches up versus the TG-870 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus TG-870

 E-PM2 TG-870 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Olympus E-PM2

 TG-870 E-PM2 
ReleasedJanuary 2016May 2013More modern by 32 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus TG-870

 E-PM2 TG-870 
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-870 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM2 has exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Olympus TG-870 has sizing of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus TG-870 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PM2 against the TG-870.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-870 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and TG-870 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-870 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-870 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking specs. The image underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and TG-870.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PM2 features the bigger sensor which should make achieving bokeh simpler. The more aged E-PM2 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-870 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-870 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-870 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography advice
Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography advice
71
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
36
MP count decent (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography highlights
Olympus TG-870 Street photography highlights
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
supports touch focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
65
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (221g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography features
Olympus TG-870 Sports photography features
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect AF
51
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (300 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography info
Olympus TG-870 Travel photography info
66
supports touch focus
good resolution (16MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
69
better than average battery life (300 CIPA)
environment sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (21mm)
more heavy than competition in class (221 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus TG-870 as a Landscape photography camera
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse function
50
pretty wide (21mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
environment sealing
better than average battery life (300 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging info
Olympus TG-870 Vlogging info
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have mic socket
32
pretty wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (221 grams)
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-870 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus TG-870
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Announced 2013-05-21 2016-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Macro focus range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lb) 221 grams (0.49 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 300 photographs
Battery form 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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $448 $280