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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
26
Overall
31
Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 front
 
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Key Specs

Olympus Tough-3000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.5-5.1) lens
  • 159g - 96 x 65 x 23mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Additionally Known as mju Tough 3000
Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Announced December 2012
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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus Tough-3000 versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the Tough-3000 (12MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) is relatively similar but the Tough-3000 (1/2.3") and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") have different sensor dimensions.

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The Tough-3000 was introduced 3 years prior to the XZ-2 iHS which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick overview of how the Tough-3000 grades against the XZ-2 iHS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus Tough-3000 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 Tough-3000 XZ-2 iHS 

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Olympus Tough-3000

 XZ-2 iHS Tough-3000 
AnnouncedDecember 2012January 2010More modern by 35 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus Tough-3000 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 Tough-3000 XZ-2 iHS 
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus Tough-3000 has got exterior measurements of 96mm x 65mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") along with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus Tough-3000 versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the Tough-3000 versus the XZ-2 iHS.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Tough-3000 and XZ-2 iHS is 94 and 85 respectively.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The pic here should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the Tough-3000 and XZ-2 iHS.

As you have seen, both the cameras have the same megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The Tough-3000 provides the tinier sensor which should make getting shallower depth of field tougher. The more aged Tough-3000 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Portrait photography details
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
46
you can focus manually
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Street photography details
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Street photography details
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
66
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (346g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus Tough-3000
Sports photography with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
36
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery life (340 per charge)
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Travel photography advice
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Travel photography advice
61
environment sealing
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
61
better than average battery life (340 CIPA)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (346 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography highlights
35
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
55
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (340 per charge)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Vlogging camera
28
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
36
fairly wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (346g)
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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus Tough-3000 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS
 Olympus Stylus Tough-3000Olympus XZ-2 iHS
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Also referred to as mju Tough 3000 -
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-07 2012-12-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 3968 x 2976
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 35
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-102mm (3.6x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.1 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing range 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 8.60 m (ISO 800)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 pounds) 346 grams (0.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 65 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 216
Other
Battery life - 340 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - Li-90B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $450