Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3
91 Imaging
40 Features
42 Overall
40


83 Imaging
51 Features
62 Overall
55
Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 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
- 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
- Introduced February 2015
- Renewed by Olympus TG-870
(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

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.

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.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus TG-860 Gallery & Panasonic G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Panasonic G3
TG-860 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2015 | ![]() | July 2011 | Fresher by 44 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Olympus TG-860
G3 | TG-860 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic G3
TG-860 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display measurement |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Exact 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic G3 Specifications
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 | Panasonic 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 |