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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus TG-860
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-F3
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

The following is a extensive comparison of the Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the TG-870 (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is pretty similar but the TG-870 (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-870 was introduced 4 years after the NEX-C3 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the TG-870 matches up against the NEX-C3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Sony NEX-C3

 TG-870 NEX-C3 
ReleasedJanuary 2016August 2011Newer by 54 months
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus TG-870

 NEX-C3 TG-870 
Manual focus More exact focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Sony NEX-C3

 TG-870 NEX-C3 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-870 features external dimensions of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Sony NEX-C3 has proportions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the TG-870 and the NEX-C3.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-870 and NEX-C3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions simply by going over specifications. The pic underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-870 and NEX-C3.

Plainly, the two cameras posses the exact same megapixel count albeit different sensor dimensions. The TG-870 features the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF harder. The younger TG-870 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-870
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-C3
36
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-870
Street photography with Sony NEX-C3
65
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition (221 grams)
79
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography information
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery pack (300 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
53
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery (400 shots)
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography highlights
69
great battery pack (300 CIPA)
environment sealing
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (21mm)
heavier than competition (221 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
better than average battery (400 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (225g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography highlights
50
pretty wide (21mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
environment sealing
great battery pack (300 shots)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (400 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging highlights
32
pretty wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
heavier than competition (221g)
27
lighter than competitors (225g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Sony NEX-C3
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2016-01-06 2011-08-22
Physical type 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 221 gr (0.49 lb) 225 gr (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1083
Other
Battery life 300 images 400 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-50B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $280 $343