Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A57

In this article, we will be contrasting the Olympus TG-310 versus Sony A57, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-310 (14MP) and the A57 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the TG-310 (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The TG-310 was introduced 20 months prior to the A57 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-310 being a Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the TG-310 scores vs the A57 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus TG-310 and Sony SLT-A57. The whole galleries are available at Olympus TG-310 Gallery and Sony A57 Gallery.

When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-310 comes with physical measurements of 96mm x 63mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Sony A57 has measurements of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") having a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-310 versus Sony A57 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the TG-310 and the A57.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-310 and A57 is 94 and 64 respectively.

In many cases, its difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through specs. The image underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-310 and A57.

All in all, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The TG-310 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A57 will show greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged TG-310 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.