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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A9

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus TG-860
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Updated by Sony A9 II
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A9 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus TG-870 and Sony A9, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the TG-870 (16MP) and A9 (24MP) and the TG-870 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The TG-870 was brought out 15 months before the A9 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the TG-870 scores against the A9 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Sony A9

 TG-870 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Olympus TG-870

 A9 TG-870 
RevealedApril 2017January 2016More modern by 15 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen resolution1440k921kSharper screen (+519k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Sony A9

 TG-870 A9 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-870 features exterior dimensions of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Sony A9 has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-870 and Sony A9 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the TG-870 and the A9.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the TG-870 and A9 is 91 and 65 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading through specifications. The picture underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-870 and A9.

To sum up, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The TG-870 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A9 will give more detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged TG-870 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography info
Sony A9 Portrait photography info
36
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
83
focusing manually
decent MP (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-870
Street photography with Sony A9
65
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than others (221g)
79
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
includes touch focus
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Sports photography factors
Sony A9 Sports photography factors
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery power (300 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
86
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
high fps (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Travel photography features
Sony A9 Travel photography features
69
great battery power (300 CIPA)
environment proofing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (21mm)
heavier than others (221g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
73
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
includes touch focus
decent MP (24MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography info
Sony A9 Landscape photography info
50
quite wide (21mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proofing
great battery power (300 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
85
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Vlogging factors
Sony A9 Vlogging factors
32
quite wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no external mic socket
heavier than others (221 grams)
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Sony A9
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Sony Alpha A9
Type Ultracompact Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2016-01-06 2017-04-19
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 204800
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 693
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 221 grams (0.49 pounds) 673 grams (1.48 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 300 photos 650 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-50B NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots 1 2
Price at release $280 $4,498