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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Olympus TG-310 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs

Olympus TG-310
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 96 x 63 x 23mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Announced September 2014
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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Lens-style by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the TG-310 (14MP) and QX30 (20MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The TG-310 was revealed 4 years earlier than the QX30 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-310 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the TG-310 matches up against the QX30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-310 over the Sony QX30

 TG-310 QX30 
Screen sizing2.7""Bigger screen (+2.7")
Screen resolution230k0kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Olympus TG-310

 QX30 TG-310 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014January 2011Fresher by 44 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-310 and Sony QX30

 TG-310 QX30 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus TG-310 has got outside measurements of 96mm x 63mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" x 0.9") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Sony QX30 has specifications of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

See the Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the TG-310 versus the QX30.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-310 and QX30 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-310 and QX30.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sony QX30 to give more detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The older TG-310 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Portrait photography details
Sony QX30 Portrait photography details
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
38
decent MP (20MP)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-310
Street photography with Sony QX30
66
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than average (155 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
62
image stabilization (Optical)
features focus via touch
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Sports photography highlights
Sony QX30 Sports photography highlights
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (150 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Travel photography factors
Sony QX30 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than average (155 grams)
environment sealing
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery power (150 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
65
features focus via touch
decent MP (20MP)
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Landscape photography details
Sony QX30 Landscape photography details
39
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
environment sealing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery power (150 shots)
missing Timelapse function
39
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small screen ( inches)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-310 as a Vlogging camera
Sony QX30 as a Vlogging camera
32
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than average (155g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
35
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-310 and Sony QX30
 Olympus TG-310Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus TG-310 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Class Waterproof Lens-style
Introduced 2011-01-06 2014-09-03
Physical type Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-102mm (3.6x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.9-5.9 f/3.5-6.3
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch -
Screen resolution 230k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.20 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in None
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155g (0.34 lbs) 193g (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 63 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" x 0.9") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 150 shots 200 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-42B NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $0 $348