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Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Olympus TG-610 front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
62
Features
54
Overall
58

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500 Key Specs

Olympus TG-610
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 190g - 96 x 65 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Announced March 2014
  • Previous Model is Sony A3000
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Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the TG-610 (14MP) and a3500 (20MP) and the TG-610 (1/2.3") and a3500 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The TG-610 was announced 4 years earlier than the a3500 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-610 being a Compact camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the TG-610 grades vs the a3500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-610 over the Sony a3500

 TG-610 a3500 
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Olympus TG-610

 a3500 TG-610 
AnnouncedMarch 2014January 2011Newer by 39 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-610 and Sony a3500

 TG-610 a3500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-610 enjoys external dimensions of 96mm x 65mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 1.0") with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Sony a3500 has measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check the Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the TG-610 against the a3500.

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-610 and a3500 is 93 and 69 respectively.

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by checking specs. The pic here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-610 and a3500.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The TG-610 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony a3500 will resolve greater detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged TG-610 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-610 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count good (14MP)
provides face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
77
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-610 Street photography advice
Sony a3500 Street photography advice
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than others (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-610
Sports photography with Sony a3500
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (210 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
59
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
great battery pack (470 shots)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-610 as a Travel photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Travel photography camera
64
environment sealing
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (210 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
60
great battery pack (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
more heavy than others (411 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-610 Landscape photography details
Sony a3500 Landscape photography details
42
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
environment sealing
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery life (210 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (470 shots)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-610
Vlogging with Sony a3500
30
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
26
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone socket
more heavy than others (411 grams)
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Olympus TG-610 vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-610 and Sony a3500
 Olympus TG-610Sony Alpha a3500
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus TG-610 Sony Alpha a3500
Class Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-01-06 2014-03-21
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ BIONZ image
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 1600 16000
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.20 m 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 190 gr (0.42 lbs) 411 gr (0.91 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 65 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 1.0") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
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 210 photos 470 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots One One
Cost at release $223 $398