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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Olympus TG-820 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Olympus TG-820 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 206g - 101 x 65 x 26mm
  • Announced February 2012
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched April 2010
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the TG-820 iHS (12MP) and A850 (25MP) and the TG-820 iHS (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The TG-820 iHS was announced 23 months later than the A850 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-820 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the TG-820 iHS matches up against the A850 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-820 iHS over the Sony A850

 TG-820 iHS A850 
LaunchedFebruary 2012April 2010Fresher by 23 months
Display resolution1030k922kSharper display (+108k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Olympus TG-820 iHS

 A850 TG-820 iHS 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sony A850

 TG-820 iHS A850 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera often, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-820 iHS features physical measurements of 101mm x 65mm x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-820 iHS compared to the A850.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-820 iHS and A850 is 92 and 54 respectively.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing just by viewing technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-820 iHS and A850.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The TG-820 iHS having a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Sony A850 will render greater detail with its extra 13 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more modern TG-820 iHS is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Portrait photography details
Sony A850 Portrait photography details
27
offers face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
72
manual focus
fantastic resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Street photography features
Sony A850 Street photography features
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-820 iHS
Sports photography with Sony A850
34
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Travel photography factors
Sony A850 Travel photography factors
59
environment proofing
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.9)
55
weather sealing
fantastic resolution (25MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Landscape photography details
Sony A850 Landscape photography details
38
fairly wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
no manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic resolution (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
does not have liveview
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
33
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sony A850
 Olympus TG-820 iHSSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus TG-820 iHS Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-02-08 2010-04-15
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,030k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology HyperCrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206g (0.45 lb) 895g (1.97 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 65 x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1415
Other
Battery life 220 images 880 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots One 2
Pricing at release $500 $0