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Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GF2

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
47
Features
50
Overall
48

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GF2 Key Specs

Olympus TG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 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
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Launched March 2014
  • Newer Model is Olympus TG-4
Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GF1
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF3
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Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GF2 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic GF2, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and GF2 (12MP) and the TG-3 (1/2.3") and GF2 (Four Thirds) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-3 was introduced 3 years after the GF2 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the TG-3 grades versus the GF2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Panasonic GF2

 TG-3 GF2 
IntroducedMarch 2014February 2011Newer by 38 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Olympus TG-3

 GF2 TG-3 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic GF2

 TG-3 GF2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GF2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus TG-3 comes with outer measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") and a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Panasonic GF2 has specifications of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic GF2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-3 against the GF2.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GF2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and GF2 is 90 and 88 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GF2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GF2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The picture below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-3 and GF2.

As you can tell, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The TG-3 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Olympus TG-3 will provide extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger TG-3 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GF2 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic GF2 Portrait photography factors
37
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-3
Street photography with Panasonic GF2
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competitors (247g)
65
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-3
Sports photography with Panasonic GF2
47
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery (330 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
37
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
low battery life (300 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Travel photography info
Panasonic GF2 Travel photography info
74
great battery (330 per charge)
environment proofing
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competitors (247g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
52
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
low battery life (300 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GF2 Landscape photography advice
56
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
environment proofing
great battery (330 shots)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
low battery life (300 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging features
Panasonic GF2 Vlogging features
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
heavier than competitors (247 grams)
32
touchscreen functionality
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no mic support
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Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GF2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic GF2
 Olympus Tough TG-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Tough TG-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Category Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-03-31 2011-02-24
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT-LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247 gr (0.54 lb) 310 gr (0.68 lb)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 54
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 506
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 300 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $350 $330