Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony S950
92 Imaging
36 Features
37 Overall
36


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony S950 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2012
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- No Video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Launched February 2009

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony S950 Overview
The following is a complete review of the Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sony S950, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the TG-820 iHS (12MP) and the S950 (10MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The TG-820 iHS was manufactured 3 years after the S950 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the TG-820 iHS matches up against the S950 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony S950 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus TG-820 iHS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950. The entire galleries are available at Olympus TG-820 iHS Gallery & Sony S950 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-820 iHS over the Sony S950
TG-820 iHS | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 37 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 1030k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+800k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Olympus TG-820 iHS
S950 | TG-820 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing |
Common features in the Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sony S950
TG-820 iHS | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-820 iHS comes with 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) whilst the Sony S950 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Look at the Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sony S950 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the TG-820 iHS and the S950.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-820 iHS and S950 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions just by reviewing a spec sheet. The image here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-820 iHS and S950.
As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Olympus TG-820 iHS to deliver greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more recent TG-820 iHS should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony S950 Specifications
Olympus TG-820 iHS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus TG-820 iHS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 |
Type | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2012-02-08 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VI | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3968 x 2976 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
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 | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.9-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 1,030k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal III TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 2 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
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) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 206 gr (0.45 lbs) | 167 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 101 x 65 x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 220 photos | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | LI-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $500 | $130 |