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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony TX20

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony TX20 Key Specs

Olympus TG-2 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 - 111 x 67 x 29mm
  • Announced June 2013
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony TX20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony TX20, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the TG-2 iHS (12MP) and TX20 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The TG-2 iHS was launched 17 months after the TX20 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the TG-2 iHS grades versus the TX20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Sony TX20

 TG-2 iHS TX20 
AnnouncedJune 2013February 2012Newer by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS

 TX20 TG-2 iHS 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen resolution922k610kCrisper screen (+312k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony TX20

 TG-2 iHS TX20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-2 iHS has external dimensions of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony TX20 has sizing of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony TX20 in our brand new Camera & 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 utilizing during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the TG-2 iHS vs the TX20.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-2 iHS and TX20 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-2 iHS and TX20.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sony TX20 to give you more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The newer TG-2 iHS will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Portrait photography advice
Sony TX20 Portrait photography advice
27
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
40
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Street photography advice
Sony TX20 Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
67
image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
environment proof
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Sports photography features
Sony TX20 Sports photography features
40
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery (350 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
50
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery (250 CIPA)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Travel photography highlights
Sony TX20 Travel photography highlights
68
good battery (350 per charge)
weather proof
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
72
good battery (250 shots)
environment proof
offers focus by touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Landscape photography advice
Sony TX20 Landscape photography advice
46
pretty wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
good battery (350 shots)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
52
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
environment proof
good battery (250 shots)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Sony TX20 as a Vlogging camera
36
pretty wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
35
pretty wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic jack
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony TX20
 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Category Waterproof Ultracompact
Announced 2013-06-28 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 610k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology OLED XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.70 m
Flash modes - 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 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230g (0.51 pounds) 133g (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" 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 shots 250 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-90B NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $380 $330