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Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Olympus TG-630 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
62
Features
54
Overall
58

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500 Key Specs

Olympus TG-630 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 66 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
Sony a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Launched March 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony A3000
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Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the TG-630 iHS (12MP) and a3500 (20MP) and the TG-630 iHS (1/2.3") and a3500 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The TG-630 iHS was released 14 months prior to the a3500 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-630 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the TG-630 iHS grades against the a3500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-630 iHS over the Sony a3500

 TG-630 iHS a3500 
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Olympus TG-630 iHS

 a3500 TG-630 iHS 
LaunchedMarch 2014January 2013More modern by 14 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-630 iHS and Sony a3500

 TG-630 iHS a3500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-630 iHS provides exterior measurements of 98mm x 66mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony a3500 has measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check the Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the TG-630 iHS against the a3500.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-630 iHS and a3500 is 94 and 69 respectively.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to see the difference in sensor sizes merely by looking through specifications. The image below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-630 iHS and a3500.

To sum up, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The TG-630 iHS featuring a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh harder and the Sony a3500 will render more detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged TG-630 iHS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Portrait photography details
Sony a3500 Portrait photography details
26
includes face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
77
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Street photography advice
Sony a3500 Street photography advice
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Sports photography factors
Sony a3500 Sports photography factors
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
59
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
good battery power (470 CIPA)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Travel photography factors
Sony a3500 Travel photography factors
59
weather sealing
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
60
good battery power (470 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (411g)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-630 iHS
Landscape photography with Sony a3500
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (470 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Sony a3500 as a Vlogging camera
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no mic socket
26
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (411g)
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Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-630 iHS and Sony a3500
 Olympus TG-630 iHSSony Alpha a3500
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus TG-630 iHS Sony Alpha a3500
Class Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-01-08 2014-03-21
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lb) 411 grams (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 66 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.9") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
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 220 photos 470 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $200 $398