Clicky

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 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
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Updated by Sony NEX-F3
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Following is a complete analysis of the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the TG-850 iHS (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.

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

The TG-850 iHS was announced 2 years after the NEX-C3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the TG-850 iHS matches up versus the NEX-C3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Sony NEX-C3

 TG-850 iHS NEX-C3 
ReleasedJanuary 2014August 2011More modern by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 NEX-C3 TG-850 iHS 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Sony NEX-C3

 TG-850 iHS NEX-C3 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-850 iHS enjoys exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has sizing of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the TG-850 iHS compared to the NEX-C3.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-850 iHS and NEX-C3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through technical specs. The picture here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-850 iHS and NEX-C3.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical megapixel count but different sensor sizes. The TG-850 iHS has got the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field tougher. The more modern TG-850 iHS should have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography features
35
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Street photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography features
69
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
79
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography highlights
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery pack (330 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
53
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (400 per charge)
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography factors
72
good battery pack (330 shots)
environment proof
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (21mm)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
great battery (400 shots)
lighter than competition (225g)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography highlights
50
reasonably wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
environment proof
good battery pack (330 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Vlogging features
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging features
33
reasonably wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone support
27
lighter than competition (225g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Sony NEX-C3
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSSony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-01-29 2011-08-22
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4616 x 3464 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1/2s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 218g (0.48 pounds) 225g (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1083
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 400 photographs
Battery style 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, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $250 $343