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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-3

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-3 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
  • Launched May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
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
  • Revealed March 2014
  • Successor is Olympus TG-4
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-3 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-PM2 versus Olympus TG-3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof and both are created by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the TG-3 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and TG-3 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM2 was brought out 10 months earlier than the TG-3 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the E-PM2 scores versus the TG-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus TG-3

 E-PM2 TG-3 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Olympus E-PM2

 TG-3 E-PM2 
RevealedMarch 2014May 2013More modern by 10 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus TG-3

 E-PM2 TG-3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM2 has got outside 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-3 has proportions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") and a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM2 versus Olympus TG-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM2 and the TG-3.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and TG-3 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes only by reading through technical specs. The pic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and TG-3.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact resolution albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PM2 provides the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF less difficult. The more aged E-PM2 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography advice
Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography advice
71
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
37
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Olympus TG-3
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
features touch focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than average (247 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography highlights
Olympus TG-3 Sports photography highlights
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery life (330 per charge)
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography features
Olympus TG-3 Travel photography features
66
features touch focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
74
great battery life (330 shots)
environment proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than average (247 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM2
Landscape photography with Olympus TG-3
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of Time Lapse mode
56
rather wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
great battery life (330 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Olympus TG-3
36
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of mic port
34
rather wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
heavier than average (247 grams)
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus TG-3
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Olympus Tough TG-3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus Tough TG-3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Launched 2013-05-21 2014-03-31
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lb) 247 gr (0.54 lb)
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 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 pictures 330 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $448 $350