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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550 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
  • Announced May 2012
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the TG-1 iHS (12MP) and the W550 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The TG-1 iHS was brought out 10 months after the W550 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-1 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the TG-1 iHS matches up against the W550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-1 iHS over the Sony W550

 TG-1 iHS W550 
LaunchedMay 2012July 2011More modern by 10 months
Screen resolution610k230kClearer screen (+380k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Olympus TG-1 iHS

 W550 TG-1 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-1 iHS and Sony W550

 TG-1 iHS W550 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus TG-1 iHS offers exterior dimensions of 112mm x 67mm x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Sony W550 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the TG-1 iHS compared to the W550.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the TG-1 iHS and W550 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by viewing specs. The image here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-1 iHS and W550.

All in all, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Sony W550 to result in extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern TG-1 iHS provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Portrait photography details
Sony W550 Portrait photography details
27
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
28
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W550 as a Sports photography camera
40
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery (350 per charge)
slow fps (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Travel photography information
Sony W550 Travel photography information
68
good battery (350 shots)
environment sealing
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
65
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Landscape photography features
Sony W550 Landscape photography features
46
reasonably wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
good battery (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
42
decently wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Vlogging information
Sony W550 Vlogging information
36
reasonably wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic jack
29
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-1 iHS and Sony W550
 Olympus Tough TG-1 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Category Waterproof Ultracompact
Announced 2012-05-08 2011-07-24
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 610k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.80 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230 gr (0.51 lb) 110 gr (0.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 67 x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 350 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model LI90B NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single -
Retail pricing $399 $119