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Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic LX100 II

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II front
Portability
81
Imaging
57
Features
75
Overall
64

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic LX100 II Key Specs

Olympus TG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 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
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Announced March 2014
  • New Model is Olympus TG-4
Panasonic LX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 17MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-75mm (F1.7-2.8) lens
  • 392g - 115 x 66 x 64mm
  • Released August 2018
  • Superseded the Panasonic LX100
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic LX100 II Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic LX100 II, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the LX100 II (17MP) is fairly comparable but the TG-3 (1/2.3") and LX100 II (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The TG-3 was announced 5 years earlier than the LX100 II which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a short summation of how the TG-3 matches up versus the LX100 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Panasonic LX100 II

 TG-3 LX100 II 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX100 II over the Olympus TG-3

 LX100 II TG-3 
ReleasedAugust 2018March 2014More modern by 53 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display resolution1240k460kCrisper display (+780k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic LX100 II

 TG-3 LX100 II 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic LX100 II Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-3 features physical measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") along with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LX100 II has sizing of 115mm x 66mm x 64mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.5") and a weight of 392 grams (0.86 lbs).

Check the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic LX100 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the TG-3 versus the LX100 II.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic LX100 II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and LX100 II is 90 and 81 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic LX100 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic LX100 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by going through a spec sheet. The picture below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-3 and LX100 II.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The TG-3 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic LX100 II will show extra detail with its extra 1MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged TG-3 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic LX100 II sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic LX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic LX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LX100 II as a Portrait photography camera
37
good megapixels (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (17 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography highlights
Panasonic LX100 II Street photography highlights
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition in class (247 grams)
77
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic LX100 II Sports photography advice
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery (330 per charge)
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
71
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (17MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (340 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LX100 II as a Travel photography camera
74
better than average battery (330 CIPA)
environment proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competition in class (247g)
display is not selfie friendly
78
better than average battery pack (340 CIPA)
connects via bluetooth
includes focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (17MP)
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography information
Panasonic LX100 II Landscape photography information
56
relatively wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
better than average battery (330 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
76
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (17 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (340 shots)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging advice
Panasonic LX100 II Vlogging advice
34
relatively wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
heavier than competition in class (247g)
36
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
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Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic LX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic LX100 II
 Olympus Tough TG-3Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II
Category Waterproof Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-03-31 2018-08-22
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 17 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4736 x 3552
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 49
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-75mm (3.1x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/1.7-2.8
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 1,240 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,760 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 1800s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 11.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 7.00 m (with included external flash at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) DMW-BLE9 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247g (0.54 lbs) 392g (0.86 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 115 x 66 x 64mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 330 photographs 340 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Card slots One One
Launch cost $350 $998