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Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
Portability
83
Imaging
52
Features
62
Overall
56

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus TG-860
Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic G2
  • Later Model is Panasonic G5
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-870 (16MP) and the G3 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the TG-870 (1/2.3") and G3 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The TG-870 was introduced 4 years later than the G3 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the TG-870 matches up against the G3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Panasonic G3

 TG-870 G3 
ReleasedJanuary 2016July 2011Fresher by 55 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Olympus TG-870

 G3 TG-870 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Panasonic G3

 TG-870 G3 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-870 features outside dimensions of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) while 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).

Compare the Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the TG-870 against the G3.

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-870 and G3 is 91 and 83 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The visual here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-870 and G3.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer the same exact resolution albeit not the same sensor sizing. The TG-870 has got the tinier sensor which will make obtaining bokeh more challenging. The newer TG-870 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic G3 Portrait photography highlights
36
good megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
71
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Street photography details
Panasonic G3 Street photography details
65
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (221 grams)
75
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
offers touch to focus
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic G3 Sports photography highlights
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery (300 shots)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
47
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low battery power (270 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Travel photography info
Panasonic G3 Travel photography info
69
better than average battery (300 CIPA)
environment sealing
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (21mm)
more heavy than competition in class (221 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
70
offers touch to focus
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery power (270 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography details
Panasonic G3 Landscape photography details
50
fairly wide (21mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
better than average battery (300 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
62
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
low battery power (270 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic G3 as a Vlogging camera
32
fairly wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (221g)
70
selfie friendly display
touch screen
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Panasonic G3
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2016-01-06 2011-07-11
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3448
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 125 160
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 11.00 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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))
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 221 gr (0.49 lb) 336 gr (0.74 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 56
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.6
DXO Low light score not tested 667
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 270 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $280 $500