Clicky

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Launched March 2014
  • Refreshed by Olympus TG-4
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced March 2011
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-r Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-r, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and K-r (12MP) and the TG-3 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The TG-3 was manufactured 3 years later than the K-r and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the TG-3 matches up vs the K-r with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

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

 TG-3 K-r 
AnnouncedMarch 2014March 2011More recent by 38 months

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

 K-r TG-3 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

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

 TG-3 K-r 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-3 provides physical measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") having a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-r in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the TG-3 versus the K-r.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and K-r is 90 and 67 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements just by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-3 and K-r.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The TG-3 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Olympus TG-3 will offer you extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher TG-3 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

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

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

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-r Portrait photography highlights
37
good resolution (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competitors (247g)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
47
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
great battery pack (330 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (470 CIPA)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-3
Travel photography with Pentax K-r
74
great battery pack (330 per charge)
weather proof
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competitors (247 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
47
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (470 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
56
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
weather proof
great battery pack (330 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (470 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-r as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic port
heavier than competitors (247g)
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Pentax K-r
 Olympus Tough TG-3Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Pentax K-r
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-03-31 2011-03-11
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Prime II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
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) -
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT-LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180s
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247g (0.54 pounds) 598g (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 470 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $350 $1,100