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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Olympus TG-820 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-820 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
  • 206g - 101 x 65 x 26mm
  • Introduced February 2012
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-3
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-F3
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus TG-820 iHS versus Sony NEX-C3, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the TG-820 iHS (12MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the TG-820 iHS (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The TG-820 iHS was introduced 6 months after the NEX-C3 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-820 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the TG-820 iHS scores against the NEX-C3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-820 iHS over the Sony NEX-C3

 TG-820 iHS NEX-C3 
Display resolution1030k920kSharper display (+110k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus TG-820 iHS

 NEX-C3 TG-820 iHS 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sony NEX-C3

 TG-820 iHS NEX-C3 
RevealedFebruary 2012August 2011Same age
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus TG-820 iHS has got exterior measurements of 101mm x 65mm x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has specifications of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Olympus TG-820 iHS versus Sony NEX-C3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the TG-820 iHS against the NEX-C3.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-820 iHS and NEX-C3 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-820 iHS and NEX-C3.

Clearly, each of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The TG-820 iHS having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Sony NEX-C3 will render more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-820 iHS
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-C3
27
has face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Sports photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography details
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
environment proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
53
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Travel photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography details
59
environment proof
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
71
better than average battery life (400 shots)
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography highlights
38
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual exposure
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery (220 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (400 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Vlogging details
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging details
33
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
27
lighter than competition in class (225g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sony NEX-C3
 Olympus TG-820 iHSSony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus TG-820 iHS Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-02-08 2011-08-22
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,030k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology HyperCrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206 gr (0.45 pounds) 225 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 101 x 65 x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1083
Other
Battery life 220 shots 400 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $500 $343