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Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GH2

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GH2 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
  • Introduced March 2014
  • Refreshed by Olympus TG-4
Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Launched March 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH1
  • New Model is Panasonic GH3
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Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic GH2, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the GH2 (16MP) is relatively close but the TG-3 (1/2.3") and GH2 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The TG-3 was launched 3 years later than the GH2 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the TG-3 matches up against the GH2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Panasonic GH2

 TG-3 GH2 
LaunchedMarch 2014March 2011Fresher by 37 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Olympus TG-3

 GH2 TG-3 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic GH2

 TG-3 GH2 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus TG-3 features outer 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) and the Panasonic GH2 has specifications of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") along with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic GH2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the TG-3 compared to the GH2.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GH2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and GH2 is 90 and 70 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GH2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-3 and GH2.

As you can tell, both of the cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizing. The TG-3 offers the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field tougher. The newer TG-3 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GH2 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic GH2 Portrait photography highlights
37
MP count decent (16MP)
offers face detect focus
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
70
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography info
Panasonic GH2 Street photography info
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than others (247 grams)
68
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography details
Panasonic GH2 Sports photography details
47
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery power (330 per charge)
slow fps (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
46
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low battery (330 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH2 as a Travel photography camera
74
better than average battery power (330 shots)
environment sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than others (247 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
62
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery (330 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GH2 as a Landscape photography camera
56
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
better than average battery power (330 per charge)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
60
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low battery (330 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging features
Panasonic GH2 Vlogging features
34
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
heavier than others (247g)
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
comes with face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic support
does not have image stabilization
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Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic GH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Panasonic GH2
 Olympus Tough TG-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Tough TG-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Category Waterproof Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-03-31 2011-03-23
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT-LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 15.60 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)
Maximum 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247 grams (0.54 pounds) 442 grams (0.97 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 60
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 655
Other
Battery life 330 shots 330 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch price $350 $1,000