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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Boost 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
  • Earlier Model is Olympus TG-860
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced February 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony HX20V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX50V
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V Overview

The following is a in-depth overview of the Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-870 (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The TG-870 was released 3 years after the HX30V which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the TG-870 grades versus the HX30V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Sony HX30V

 TG-870 HX30V 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016February 2012Newer by 47 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Olympus TG-870

 HX30V TG-870 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen resolution922k921kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Sony HX30V

 TG-870 HX30V 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus TG-870 comes with external 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 HX30V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the TG-870 against the HX30V.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-870 and HX30V is 91 and 90 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing a spec sheet. The image below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-870 and HX30V.

As you can see, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony HX30V to show greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The newer TG-870 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX30V Portrait photography advice
36
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
45
has manual focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Street photography info
Sony HX30V Street photography info
65
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than average (221 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (254 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-870
Sports photography with Sony HX30V
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery (300 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Travel photography factors
Sony HX30V Travel photography factors
69
better than average battery (300 shots)
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (21mm)
heavier than average (221 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than others in class (254 grams)
good MP (18MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX30V Landscape photography advice
50
really wide (21mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
better than average battery (300 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
50
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX30V as a Vlogging camera
32
really wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
heavier than average (221 grams)
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (254 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic jack
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Sony HX30V
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-01-06 2012-02-28
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 221 grams (0.49 lbs) 254 grams (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots 320 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-50B NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $280 $420