Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Samsung GX-20
91 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
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58 Imaging
53 Features
52 Overall
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Samsung GX-20 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
- Introduced January 2014
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
- Released January 2008
- Superseded the Samsung GX-10

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Samsung GX-20 Overview
In this write-up, we are evaluating the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Samsung GX-20, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the GX-20 (15MP) is very well matched but the TG-850 iHS (1/2.3") and GX-20 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

The TG-850 iHS was unveiled 6 years later than the GX-20 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera and the Samsung GX-20 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the TG-850 iHS grades vs the GX-20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Samsung GX-20 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS and Samsung GX-20. The full galleries are available at Olympus TG-850 iHS Gallery and Samsung GX-20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Samsung GX-20
TG-850 iHS | GX-20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2014 | ![]() | January 2008 | Fresher by 74 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS
GX-20 | TG-850 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus |
Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Samsung GX-20
TG-850 iHS | GX-20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Samsung GX-20 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account 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") along with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Samsung GX-20 has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Look at the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Samsung GX-20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-850 iHS versus the GX-20.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-850 iHS and GX-20 is 91 and 58 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Samsung GX-20 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by looking at specs. The graphic underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-850 iHS and GX-20.
All in all, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The TG-850 iHS with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Olympus TG-850 iHS will give you greater detail having an extra 1MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher TG-850 iHS provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Samsung GX-20 Specifications
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS | Samsung GX-20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Samsung |
Model type | Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS | Samsung GX-20 |
Type | Waterproof | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2014-01-29 | 2008-01-24 |
Body design | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VII | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 15MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Maximum resolution | 4616 x 3464 | 4688 x 3120 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens zoom range | 21-105mm (5.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.7 | - |
Available lenses | - | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 1/2 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | - | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | - |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | 218g (0.48 lbs) | 800g (1.76 lbs) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") | 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 68 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.2 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 714 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 photographs | - |
Battery format | 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 shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | SD/MMC/SDHC card |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $250 | $850 |