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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
26
Overall
31
Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs

Olympus Tough-3000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.5-5.1) lens
  • 159g - 96 x 65 x 23mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Alternate Name is mju Tough 3000
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Announced September 2014
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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Lens-style by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the Tough-3000 (12MP) and QX30 (20MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The Tough-3000 was released 5 years before the QX30 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus Tough-3000 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple view of how the Tough-3000 grades versus the QX30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus Tough-3000 over the Sony QX30

 Tough-3000 QX30 
Screen dimensions2.7""Bigger screen (+2.7")
Screen resolution230k0kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Olympus Tough-3000

 QX30 Tough-3000 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014January 2010Newer by 56 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus Tough-3000 and Sony QX30

 Tough-3000 QX30 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus Tough-3000 enjoys outer measurements of 96mm x 65mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony QX30 has sizing of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Compare the Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the Tough-3000 versus the QX30.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the Tough-3000 and QX30 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by researching technical specs. The picture here might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the Tough-3000 and QX30.

As you have seen, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sony QX30 to render extra detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged Tough-3000 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Portrait photography factors
Sony QX30 Portrait photography factors
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
38
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Street photography info
Sony QX30 Street photography info
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
62
image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Sports photography highlights
Sony QX30 Sports photography highlights
36
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Travel photography factors
Sony QX30 Travel photography factors
61
weather proofing
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
provides touch focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
really wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (200 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Landscape photography information
Sony QX30 Landscape photography information
35
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
39
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small ( inches)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 as a Vlogging camera
Sony QX30 as a Vlogging camera
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic socket
35
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus Tough-3000 and Sony QX30
 Olympus Stylus Tough-3000Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Alternate name mju Tough 3000 -
Category Waterproof Lens-style
Released 2010-01-07 2014-09-03
Body design Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-102mm (3.6x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.1 f/3.5-6.3
Macro focusing range 2cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch -
Screen resolution 230k dot 0k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in None
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (60p, 30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 gr (0.35 pounds) 193 gr (0.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 65 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 200 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $0 $348