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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
63
Features
48
Overall
57

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1 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
  • Announced January 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus TG-860
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Introduced September 2014
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Lens-style by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-870 (16MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is very similar but the TG-870 (1/2.3") and QX1 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

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The TG-870 was introduced 17 months later than the QX1 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a concise view of how the TG-870 grades vs the QX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Sony QX1

 TG-870 QX1 
IntroducedJanuary 2016September 2014More recent by 17 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3""Larger display (+3")
Display resolution921k0kCrisper display (+921k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Olympus TG-870

 QX1 TG-870 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Sony QX1

 TG-870 QX1 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-870 features outside measurements of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Sony QX1 has sizing of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") along with a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the TG-870 versus the QX1.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-870 and QX1 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements just by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-870 and QX1.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The TG-870 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh trickier and the Sony QX1 will deliver more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more recent TG-870 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography factors
Sony QX1 Portrait photography factors
36
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
66
manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-870
Street photography with Sony QX1
65
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than competitors (221g)
69
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (216 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Sports photography details
Sony QX1 Sports photography details
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery pack (300 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
56
decent megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery power (440 per charge)
max fps low (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Travel photography advice
Sony QX1 Travel photography advice
69
great battery pack (300 per charge)
environment proofing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (21mm)
heavier than competitors (221g)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
great battery power (440 shots)
comes with touch to focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (216 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography advice
Sony QX1 Landscape photography advice
50
relatively wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
great battery pack (300 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
64
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (440 shots)
screen is small ( inches)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Vlogging features
Sony QX1 Vlogging features
32
relatively wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
no mic port
heavier than competitors (221g)
32
screen is touchscreen
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than competitors (216 grams)
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Sony QX1
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Sony Alpha QX1
Class Ultracompact Lens-style
Announced 2016-01-06 2014-09-03
Physical type Ultracompact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Maximum boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.6
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch -
Screen resolution 921k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 221 gr (0.49 lb) 216 gr (0.48 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 440 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-50B NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots One One
Launch cost $280 $500