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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony A9

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Olympus TG-1 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 112 x 67 x 30mm
  • Announced May 2012
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Successor is Sony A9 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony A9 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus TG-1 iHS versus Sony A9, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the TG-1 iHS (12MP) and A9 (24MP) and the TG-1 iHS (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) boast different sensor sizing.

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The TG-1 iHS was brought out 6 years prior to the A9 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-1 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief view of how the TG-1 iHS matches up versus the A9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-1 iHS over the Sony A9

 TG-1 iHS A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Olympus TG-1 iHS

 A9 TG-1 iHS 
ReleasedApril 2017May 2012More recent by 60 months
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k610kCrisper display (+830k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-1 iHS and Sony A9

 TG-1 iHS A9 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-1 iHS offers exterior dimensions of 112mm x 67mm x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus TG-1 iHS versus Sony A9 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the TG-1 iHS vs the A9.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony A9 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the TG-1 iHS and A9 is 91 and 65 respectively.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-1 iHS and A9.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The TG-1 iHS featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A9 will offer you greater detail having its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The older TG-1 iHS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
27
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
83
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Street photography information
Sony A9 Street photography information
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
provides touch to focus
environment sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-1 iHS
Sports photography with Sony A9
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
good battery power (350 CIPA)
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
86
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high max fps (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
68
good battery power (350 per charge)
weather proof
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
73
better than average battery (650 per charge)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
provides touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Landscape photography information
Sony A9 Landscape photography information
46
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
good battery power (350 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
85
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery (650 shots)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Vlogging highlights
Sony A9 Vlogging highlights
36
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no mic socket
36
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-1 iHS and Sony A9
 Olympus Tough TG-1 iHSSony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS Sony Alpha A9
Class Waterproof Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2012-05-08 2017-04-19
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 693
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 610k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash options - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 gr (0.51 lb) 673 gr (1.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 67 x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 350 photos 650 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI90B NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media - Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 2
Launch pricing $399 $4,498