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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax X-5

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs

Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Released August 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax X-5 Overview

The following is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Pentax X-5, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is fairly comparable and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-850 iHS was introduced 18 months after the X-5 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a short overview of how the TG-850 iHS scores vs the X-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Pentax X-5

 TG-850 iHS X-5 
ReleasedJanuary 2014August 2012Newer by 18 months

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 X-5 TG-850 iHS 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Pentax X-5

 TG-850 iHS X-5 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus TG-850 iHS comes with outer dimensions 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 X-5 has specifications of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Pentax X-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the TG-850 iHS and the X-5.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-850 iHS and X-5 is 91 and 65 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The picture below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-850 iHS and X-5.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP and you can expect comparable quality of photographs but you have to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more modern TG-850 iHS provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Portrait photography details
Pentax X-5 Portrait photography details
35
good MP (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
43
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Street photography info
Pentax X-5 Street photography info
69
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Sports photography information
Pentax X-5 Sports photography information
51
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery (330 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
52
amazing zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Travel photography with Pentax X-5
72
good battery (330 shots)
weather proofing
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (21mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
53
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (22mm)
very long reach (580mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (595g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography advice
Pentax X-5 Landscape photography advice
50
quite wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
weather proofing
good battery (330 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
47
you can focus manually
rather wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Vlogging with Pentax X-5
33
quite wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
26
rather wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (595g)
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Pentax X-5
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSPentax X-5
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Pentax X-5
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-01-29 2012-08-22
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4616 x 3464 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230k dot
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1/2 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 9.10 m
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218 gr (0.48 lb) 595 gr (1.31 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
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 330 pictures 330 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B 4 x AA
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 feature
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $250 $230