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Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus TG-860
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Renewed by Pentax Q10
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Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the TG-870 (16MP) and Q (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The TG-870 was introduced 4 years later than the Q and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the TG-870 scores against the Q in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Pentax Q

 TG-870 Q 
ReleasedJanuary 2016June 2011Fresher by 56 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus TG-870

 Q TG-870 
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Pentax Q

 TG-870 Q 
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-870 has external measurements of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the TG-870 compared to the Q.

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-870 and Q is 91 and 93 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-870 and Q.

Clearly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Olympus TG-870 to deliver more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger TG-870 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
36
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
45
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
65
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competition (221g)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (180g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Sports photography advice
Pentax Q Sports photography advice
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery power (300 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-870
Travel photography with Pentax Q
69
better than average battery power (300 per charge)
environment proof
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (21mm)
heavier than competition (221g)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
57
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery life (230 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q Landscape photography factors
50
quite wide (21mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
environment proof
better than average battery power (300 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Vlogging features
Pentax Q Vlogging features
32
quite wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic socket
heavier than competition (221g)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (180g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone support
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Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Pentax Q
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Pentax Q
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Pentax Q
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2016-01-06 2011-06-23
Physical type Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 125 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 pounds) 180 gr (0.40 pounds)
Physical dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life 300 images 230 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-50B D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $280 $695