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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3 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
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus TG-860
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the TG-870 (16MP) and G3 (10MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The TG-870 was launched 7 years after the G3 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the TG-870 scores versus the G3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Sony G3

 TG-870 G3 
LaunchedJanuary 2016January 2009Newer by 86 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Olympus TG-870

 G3 TG-870 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Sony G3

 TG-870 G3 
Display resolution921k921kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-870 offers external dimensions of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Sony G3 has measurements of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the TG-870 and the G3.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the TG-870 and G3 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through specs. The image here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-870 and G3.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Olympus TG-870 to provide greater detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher TG-870 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony G3 as a Portrait photography camera
36
resolution is good (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
26
manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Street photography advice
Sony G3 Street photography advice
65
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competition in class (221g)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Sports photography info
Sony G3 Sports photography info
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
good battery power (300 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
23
image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-870
Travel photography with Sony G3
69
good battery power (300 CIPA)
environment proof
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (21mm)
heavier than competition in class (221 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography highlights
Sony G3 Landscape photography highlights
50
fairly wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
environment proof
good battery power (300 CIPA)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
36
manual focus
bigger than average screen (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Vlogging details
Sony G3 Vlogging details
32
fairly wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (221 grams)
27
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Sony G3
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2016-01-06 2009-01-08
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3.5 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 1 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 grams (0.49 pounds) 185 grams (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $280 $200