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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500

Portability
91 Imaging
41 Features
46 Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81 Imaging
67 Features
85 Overall
74

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500 Key Specs

Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Released January 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus TG-860
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Revealed October 2016
  • Previous Model is Sony A6300
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500 Overview

The following is a thorough comparison of the Olympus TG-870 and Sony A6500, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the TG-870 (16MP) and A6500 (24MP) and the TG-870 (1/2.3") and A6500 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-870 was manufactured 9 months before the A6500 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the TG-870 scores vs the A6500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary 
	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Sony A6500

		

		

			
 TG-870 A6500 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Olympus TG-870

		

		

			
 A6500 TG-870 
RevealedOctober 2016January 2016Newer by 9 months
Manual focus  Dial exact focusing
Screen resolution922k921kCrisper screen (+1k dot)
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Sony A6500

		

		

			
 TG-870 A6500 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen  Absent selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-870 has got outside dimensions of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Sony A6500 has proportions of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") and a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus TG-870 and Sony A6500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-870 compared to the A6500.
Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500 size comparison
Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-870 and A6500 is 91 and 81 respectively.
Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Usually, it is tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by seeing specifications. The picture below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-870 and A6500.
To sum up, both of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The TG-870 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A6500 will provide more detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged TG-870 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.
	
			Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography features
Sony A6500 Portrait photography features
36
 resolution is good (16 megapixels)
 offers face detect focusing
 manual focus not available
 no manual control
 can't use external flash
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
80
 you can focus manually
 megapixel count decent (24MP)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 features face detect focusing
 exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison
 Olympus TG-870 as a Street photography camera
 Sony A6500 as a Street photography camera
65
 screen tilts up and down
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 environment proof
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
 heavier than competitors in class (221 grams)
85
 has a tilting screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 exports RAW formats
 provides touch focus
 weather proofing
 great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Olympus TG-870
Sports photography with Sony A6500
51
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 resolution is good (16 megapixels)
 offers tracking focus
 environment proof
 better than average battery power (300 per charge)
 no shutter priority
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have phase detect AF
77
 silent mode (1/32,000s)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count decent (24MP)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 features tracking focus
 weather proofing
 comes with phase detect AF
 bad battery power (350 per charge)
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Travel Comparison
Olympus TG-870 Travel photography features
Sony A6500 Travel photography features
69
 better than average battery power (300 per charge)
 environment proof
 resolution is good (16MP)
 has built in flash
 relatively wide (21mm)
 heavier than competitors in class (221 grams)
 display isn't selfie friendly
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
74
 weather proofing
 has bluetooth
 provides touch focus
 megapixel count decent (24MP)
 flash built-in
 bad battery power (350 shots)
 screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison
 Olympus TG-870 as a Landscape photography camera
 Sony A6500 as a Landscape photography camera
50
 relatively wide (21mm)
 screen size is good (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 resolution is good (16 megapixels)
 environment proof
 better than average battery power (300 shots)
 manual focus not available
 cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
 no manual control
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
79
 you can focus manually
 swap lenses (Sony E mount)
 nice screen size (3 inch)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 great high ISO (25,600)
 exports RAW formats
 weather proofing
 bad battery power (350 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus TG-870 Vlogging highlights
Sony A6500 Vlogging highlights
32
 relatively wide (21mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 offers face detect focusing
 high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
 display isn't selfie friendly
 missing mic support
 heavier than competitors in class (221g)
39
 touchscreen enabled
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 features face detect focusing
 high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
 does have mic support
 screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Sony A6500
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Sony Alpha a6500
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Sony Alpha a6500
Category Ultracompact Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2016-01-06 2016-10-06
Physical type Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 3:2 and  16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Highest boosted ISO 12800 51200
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW support    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection autofocus    
Contract detection autofocus    
Phase detection autofocus    
Total focus points - 425
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic 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
Environment sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 221 grams (0.49 lbs) 453 grams (1.00 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1405
Other
Battery life 300 shots 350 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-50B NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording   With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $280 $1,298