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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A57

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Olympus TG-820 iHS front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A57 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 A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A55
  • Renewed by Sony A58
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A57 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus TG-820 iHS versus Sony A57, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the TG-820 iHS (12MP) and A57 (16MP) and the TG-820 iHS (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-820 iHS was brought out 7 months before the A57 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-820 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the TG-820 iHS matches up versus the A57 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-820 iHS over the Sony A57

 TG-820 iHS A57 
Screen resolution1030k921kSharper screen (+109k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Olympus TG-820 iHS

 A57 TG-820 iHS 
RevealedSeptember 2012February 2012Fresher by 7 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sony A57

 TG-820 iHS A57 
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-820 iHS enjoys exterior measurements of 101mm x 65mm x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony A57 has proportions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") along with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-820 iHS versus Sony A57 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the TG-820 iHS against the A57.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-820 iHS and A57 is 92 and 64 respectively.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing only by reading through specs. The photograph underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-820 iHS and A57.

All in all, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The TG-820 iHS due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A57 will give more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older TG-820 iHS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Portrait photography info
Sony A57 Portrait photography info
27
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-820 iHS
Street photography with Sony A57
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
75
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Sports photography features
Sony A57 Sports photography features
34
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 shots)
no phase detect AF
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Travel photography features
Sony A57 Travel photography features
59
weather sealing
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (220 shots)
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
67
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
does not have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Landscape photography features
Sony A57 Landscape photography features
38
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual mode
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery life (220 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Vlogging features
Sony A57 Vlogging features
33
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
77
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic port
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sony A57
 Olympus TG-820 iHSSony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus TG-820 iHS Sony SLT-A57
Type Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-02-08 2012-09-13
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,030 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology HyperCrystal III TFT Color LCD Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 grams (0.45 lb) 618 grams (1.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 101 x 65 x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life 220 shots 550 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $500 $1,000