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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Bump 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
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Below is a complete assessment of the Olympus TG-870 and Sony NEX-5N, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the TG-870 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is fairly close but the TG-870 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-870 was unveiled 4 years later than the NEX-5N and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the TG-870 scores versus the NEX-5N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Sony NEX-5N

 TG-870 NEX-5N 
LaunchedJanuary 2016October 2011More recent by 52 months
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus TG-870

 NEX-5N TG-870 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Sony NEX-5N

 TG-870 NEX-5N 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-870 comes with 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) and the Sony NEX-5N has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-870 and Sony NEX-5N in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-870 compared to the NEX-5N.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-870 and NEX-5N is 91 and 89 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor measurements simply by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-870 and NEX-5N.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but different sensor measurements. The TG-870 uses the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF harder. The more modern TG-870 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
36
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Street photography details
Sony NEX-5N Street photography details
65
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than others in class (221g)
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
has touch focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography info
51
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery life (300 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
58
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
69
great battery life (300 per charge)
weather proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (21mm)
heavier than others in class (221g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
better than average battery pack (460 shots)
has touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-870
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5N
50
rather wide (21mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
weather proofing
great battery life (300 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (460 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging information
32
rather wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of mic port
heavier than others in class (221g)
33
touchscreen capability
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone port
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2016-01-06 2011-10-03
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 221 gr (0.49 lbs) 269 gr (0.59 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 460 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-50B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $280 $550