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Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
42
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-860
(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
  • 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Renewed by Olympus TG-870
Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic G2
  • Renewed by Panasonic G5
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Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Olympus TG-860 versus Panasonic G3, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-860 (16MP) and the G3 (16MP) is very well matched but the TG-860 (1/2.3") and G3 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor sizing.

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The TG-860 was launched 3 years later than the G3 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the TG-860 scores versus the G3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Panasonic G3

 TG-860 G3 
LaunchedFebruary 2015July 2011Fresher by 44 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Olympus TG-860

 G3 TG-860 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic G3

 TG-860 G3 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-860 features exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Panasonic G3 has measurements of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") and a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus TG-860 versus Panasonic G3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the TG-860 versus the G3.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-860 and G3 is 91 and 83 respectively.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by checking technical specs. The graphic below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-860 and G3.

As you have seen, both cameras posses the exact same megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The TG-860 provides the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging. The fresher TG-860 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-860 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic G3 as a Portrait photography camera
36
good resolution (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
70
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-860
Street photography with Panasonic G3
69
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
75
screen articulates
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-860 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic G3 as a Sports photography camera
49
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
46
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (270 shots)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-860 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic G3 as a Travel photography camera
71
weather proof
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (21mm)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
supports focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery (270 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-860
Landscape photography with Panasonic G3
48
relatively wide (21mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
62
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (270 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Vlogging information
Panasonic G3 Vlogging information
33
relatively wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no external microphone jack
70
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic G3
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-02-06 2011-07-11
Body design Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3448
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 11.00 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 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), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps))
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Yes None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 224 gr (0.49 pounds) 336 gr (0.74 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 56
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 667
Other
Battery life 300 images 270 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $279 $500