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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-1 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 112 x 67 x 30mm
  • Released May 2012
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-F3
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Olympus TG-1 iHS and Sony NEX-C3, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the TG-1 iHS (12MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the TG-1 iHS (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The TG-1 iHS was introduced 9 months later than the NEX-C3 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-1 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the TG-1 iHS scores against the NEX-C3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-1 iHS over the Sony NEX-C3

 TG-1 iHS NEX-C3 
ReleasedMay 2012August 2011Fresher by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus TG-1 iHS

 NEX-C3 TG-1 iHS 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k610kSharper screen (+310k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-1 iHS and Sony NEX-C3

 TG-1 iHS NEX-C3 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-1 iHS has got 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) while the Sony NEX-C3 has dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-1 iHS and Sony NEX-C3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the TG-1 iHS and the NEX-C3.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-1 iHS and NEX-C3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through technical specs. The visual underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-1 iHS and NEX-C3.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The TG-1 iHS with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony NEX-C3 will provide you with extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The fresher TG-1 iHS is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography information
27
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
good battery (350 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
53
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery life (400 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Travel photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography information
68
good battery (350 CIPA)
weather proof
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
71
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (225g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography details
46
reasonably wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
good battery (350 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
70
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging advice
36
reasonably wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone support
27
lighter than competition in class (225g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-1 iHS and Sony NEX-C3
 Olympus Tough TG-1 iHSSony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-05-08 2011-08-22
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Available lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 610 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230g (0.51 lbs) 225g (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 67 x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1083
Other
Battery life 350 photos 400 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI90B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $399 $343