Clicky

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R 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
  • Released January 2014
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5N
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5T
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is relatively comparable but the TG-850 iHS (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The TG-850 iHS was unveiled 18 months later than the NEX-5R which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the TG-850 iHS scores versus the NEX-5R in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Sony NEX-5R

 TG-850 iHS NEX-5R 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014August 2012Fresher by 18 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 NEX-5R TG-850 iHS 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Sony NEX-5R

 TG-850 iHS NEX-5R 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-850 iHS offers external 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) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the TG-850 iHS compared to the NEX-5R.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-850 iHS and NEX-5R is 91 and 89 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing only by checking out specs. The graphic below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-850 iHS and NEX-5R.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature the identical MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The TG-850 iHS features the smaller sensor which will make getting shallow DOF harder. The younger TG-850 iHS is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography information
35
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Street photography camera
69
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
80
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
offers touch to focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Sports photography info
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography info
51
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (330 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
68
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography highlights
72
better than average battery life (330 shots)
environment sealing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (21mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
73
offers touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography information
50
rather wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
better than average battery life (330 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
75
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Vlogging camera
33
rather wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone jack
31
has touchscreen
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
no external mic socket
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Sony NEX-5R
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSSony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2014-01-29 2012-08-29
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII Bionz
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 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4616 x 3464 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 99
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1/2s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Yes Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218g (0.48 pounds) 276g (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 910
Other
Battery life 330 images 330 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NPFW50
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, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $250 $750