Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3
91 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41
![Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-Stylus-Tough-TG-850-iHS/Olympus-TG-850-iHS-front.jpg)
![Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-S3/Panasonic-S3-front.jpg)
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed January 2014
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Launched January 2011
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 Overview
Let's look a bit more in depth at the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Panasonic S3, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty close and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
The TG-850 iHS was revealed 3 years later than the S3 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the TG-850 iHS scores vs the S3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus TG-850 iHS Gallery and Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Panasonic S3
TG-850 iHS | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2014 | ![]() | January 2011 | Fresher by 38 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS
S3 | TG-850 iHS |
---|
Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic S3
TG-850 iHS | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus TG-850 iHS offers exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Panasonic S3 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Check the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Panasonic S3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the TG-850 iHS and the S3.
![Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 size comparison Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-Stylus-Tough-TG-850-iHS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-S3-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-850 iHS and S3 is 91 and 96 respectively.
![Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-Stylus-Tough-TG-850-iHS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-S3-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching a spec sheet. The graphic here will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-850 iHS and S3.
As you can see, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Olympus TG-850 iHS to render extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer TG-850 iHS will have a benefit in sensor technology.
![Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-Stylus-Tough-TG-850-iHS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-S3-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-Stylus-Tough-TG-850-iHS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-S3-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 |
Type | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2014-01-29 | 2011-01-05 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VII | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4616 x 3464 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 21-105mm (5.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.7 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focus distance | - | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 1/2 secs | 8 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.30 m |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 218g (0.48 pounds) | 117g (0.26 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 shots | 250 shots |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 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, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $250 | $110 |