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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony QX30

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony QX30 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
  • Revealed January 2014
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Introduced September 2014
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony QX30 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Sony QX30, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Lens-style by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The TG-850 iHS was introduced 7 months earlier than the QX30 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the TG-850 iHS matches up vs the QX30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Sony QX30

 TG-850 iHS QX30 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution460k0kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 QX30 TG-850 iHS 
IntroducedSeptember 2014January 2014Newer by 7 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Sony QX30

 TG-850 iHS QX30 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-850 iHS has got outer 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 QX30 has dimensions of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Sony QX30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the TG-850 iHS against the QX30.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-850 iHS and QX30 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by going through specs. The image underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-850 iHS and QX30.

All in all, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Sony QX30 to produce extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged TG-850 iHS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Portrait photography info
Sony QX30 Portrait photography info
35
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
38
good resolution (20MP)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Street photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Street photography camera
69
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
62
image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Sports photography camera
51
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery power (330 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
47
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Travel photography camera
72
great battery power (330 CIPA)
weather sealing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (21mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
has focus by touch
good resolution (20MP)
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (200 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography highlights
Sony QX30 Landscape photography highlights
50
quite wide (21mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
weather sealing
great battery power (330 CIPA)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
39
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen ( inch)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Vlogging factors
Sony QX30 Vlogging factors
33
quite wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
35
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone port
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Sony QX30
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Category Waterproof Lens-style
Revealed 2014-01-29 2014-09-03
Body design Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4616 x 3464 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.5-6.3
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches -
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 0 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1/2 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash modes - None
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (60p, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 218g (0.48 pounds) 193g (0.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 200 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval)) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $250 $348