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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 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
  • Launched January 2014
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the TG-850 iHS (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") feature totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The TG-850 iHS was released 8 months later than the MX-1 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the TG-850 iHS matches up vs the MX-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Pentax MX-1

 TG-850 iHS MX-1 
LaunchedJanuary 2014July 2013Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 MX-1 TG-850 iHS 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Pentax MX-1

 TG-850 iHS MX-1 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-850 iHS enjoys physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Pentax MX-1 has sizing of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the TG-850 iHS versus the MX-1.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-850 iHS and MX-1 is 91 and 84 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over specs. The photograph below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-850 iHS and MX-1.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The TG-850 iHS featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Olympus TG-850 iHS will offer you more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more recent TG-850 iHS will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Portrait photography info
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography info
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
42
you can focus manually
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Street photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Street photography highlights
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
65
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Sports photography details
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography details
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (330 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
good battery life (290 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Travel photography with Pentax MX-1
72
better than average battery pack (330 shots)
environment sealing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (21mm)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
61
good battery life (290 shots)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
50
decently wide (21mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (330 per charge)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
55
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (290 shots)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
33
decently wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no external mic support
33
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSPentax MX-1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Pentax MX-1
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-01-29 2013-07-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4616 x 3464 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1/2 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Yes 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 218 grams (0.48 lbs) 391 grams (0.86 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
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 208
Other
Battery life 330 images 290 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B D-Li-106
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 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $250 $400