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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2014
Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic G2
  • Newer Model is Panasonic G5
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the G3 (16MP) is relatively close but the TG-850 iHS (1/2.3") and G3 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The TG-850 iHS was brought out 2 years later than the G3 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the TG-850 iHS scores against the G3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Panasonic G3

 TG-850 iHS G3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014July 2011Fresher by 32 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 G3 TG-850 iHS 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic G3

 TG-850 iHS G3 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-850 iHS provides external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Panasonic G3 has dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the TG-850 iHS vs the G3.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-850 iHS and G3 is 91 and 83 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizing only by researching specs. The graphic here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-850 iHS and G3.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The TG-850 iHS features the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh tougher. The younger TG-850 iHS is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Portrait photography details
Panasonic G3 Portrait photography details
35
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
70
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic G3 as a Street photography camera
69
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
75
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has focus via touch
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic G3 as a Sports photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery (330 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
46
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (270 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Travel photography details
Panasonic G3 Travel photography details
72
better than average battery (330 per charge)
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (21mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
has focus via touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery (270 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic G3 Landscape photography highlights
50
fairly wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
weather proof
better than average battery (330 per charge)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
62
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (270 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Vlogging details
Panasonic G3 Vlogging details
33
fairly wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing mic socket
70
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic port
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic G3
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-G3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2014-01-29 2011-07-11
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4616 x 3464 4592 x 3448
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 160
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Number of lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1/2 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 11.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps))
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Yes None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218 gr (0.48 lb) 336 gr (0.74 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 56
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 667
Other
Battery life 330 shots 270 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $250 $500