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Olympus TG-860 vs Sony W230

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
42
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony W230 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
  • Launched February 2015
  • Successor is Olympus TG-870
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
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Olympus TG-860 vs Sony W230 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus TG-860 versus Sony W230, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the TG-860 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-860 was manufactured 6 years later than the W230 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the TG-860 scores against the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Sony W230

 TG-860 W230 
ReleasedFebruary 2015February 2009Fresher by 73 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Olympus TG-860

 W230 TG-860 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-860 and Sony W230

 TG-860 W230 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-860 enjoys external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-860 versus Sony W230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the TG-860 against the W230.

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-860 and W230 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-860 and W230.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Olympus TG-860 to result in more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer TG-860 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-860
Portrait photography with Sony W230
36
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Street photography advice
Sony W230 Street photography advice
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Sports photography factors
Sony W230 Sports photography factors
49
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Travel photography features
Sony W230 Travel photography features
71
weather proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (21mm)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-860 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
48
quite wide (21mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather proof
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
37
manual focus
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Vlogging features
Sony W230 Vlogging features
33
quite wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of mic jack
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic jack
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Olympus TG-860 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-860 and Sony W230
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2015-02-06 2009-02-17
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 224g (0.49 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos -
Battery format 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 Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $279 $180