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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
90 Imaging
40 Features
46 Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63 Imaging
57 Features
65 Overall
60

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-50 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
  • Released March 2014
  • Updated by Olympus TG-4
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-30
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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Olympus TG-3 and Pentax K-50, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the TG-3 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The TG-3 was unveiled 5 months after the K-50 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the TG-3 grades against the K-50 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Pentax K-50

          

          

            
 TG-3 K-50 
          

        


        

          

            
Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Olympus TG-3

          

          

            
 K-50 TG-3 
Focus manually  More accurate focus
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)
          

        


        

          

            
Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Pentax K-50

          

          

            
 TG-3 K-50 
RevealedMarch 2014November 2013Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen  Missing selfie screen
Touch display  Missing Touch display
          

        

        

	
	
	
	

        

          

            
Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

          

          

            
For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-3 has got physical dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Check the Olympus TG-3 and Pentax K-50 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the TG-3 against the K-50.
Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison
Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and K-50 is 90 and 63 respectively.
Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison          

        


        

          

            
Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

          

          

            
Often, it is very hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through specifications. The picture underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-3 and K-50.
To sum up, the two cameras come with the identical resolution but not the same sensor sizes. The TG-3 uses the tinier sensor which will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult.

            Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison
          

        


        

          

            
Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

          

          

                      

          Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison        


                Photography Glossary        

	
	
	
	

        

          
Photography Type Scores

          

        

        
Portrait Comparison
 Olympus TG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
 Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
37
 MP count decent (16MP)
 features face detect focusing
 focusing manually not possible
 cannot use external flash
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
74
 you can focus manually
 megapixel count decent (16MP)
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 comes with face detect focusing
 delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison
Olympus TG-3 Street photography features
Pentax K-50 Street photography features
59
 built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 environment proof
 no articulating screen
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
 more heavy than others in class (247g)
64
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 delivers RAW files
 environment proofing
 above average ISO range (51,600)
 screen does not articulate
 more heavy than competitors (650g)
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Sports Comparison
 Olympus TG-3 as a Sports photography camera
 Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
47
 built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 features tracking focus
 environment proof
 great battery life (330 shots)
 painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
 no shutter priority mode
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lack of phase detect AF
67
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 comes with tracking focus
 environment proofing
 sensor has phase detect AF
 max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
 bad battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Olympus TG-3
Travel photography with Pentax K-50
74
 great battery life (330 shots)
 environment proof
 MP count decent (16MP)
 has built in flash
 rather wide (25mm)
 great maximum aperture (f2.0)
 more heavy than others in class (247 grams)
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
56
 environment proofing
 megapixel count decent (16MP)
 has built in flash
 bad battery life (410 CIPA)
 more heavy than competitors (650 grams)
 does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography info
56
 rather wide (25mm)
 great maximum aperture (f2.0)
 nice screen size (3 inches)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 environment proof
 great battery life (330 CIPA)
 focusing manually not possible
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
74
 you can focus manually
 change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
 screen is a decent size (3 inches)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 above average ISO range (51,600)
 delivers RAW files
 environment proofing
 bad battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus TG-3 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-50 Vlogging advice
34
 rather wide (25mm)
 great maximum aperture (f2.0)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 features face detect focusing
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
 doesn't have microphone support
 more heavy than others in class (247 grams)
28
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 comes with face detect focusing
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 does not posses selfie friendly screen
 missing microphone socket
 more heavy than competitors (650g)
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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

          

          

                      


          

            Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Pentax K-50
 Olympus Tough TG-3Pentax K-50
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Pentax K-50
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-03-31 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII PRIME M
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 51600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format    
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Live view autofocus    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch functionality    
Screen tech TFT-LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 247 grams (0.54 lb) 650 grams (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1120
Other
Battery life 330 shots 410 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $350 $610