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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax MX-1 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
  • Released March 2014
  • Later Model is Olympus TG-4
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Announced July 2013
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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Below is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus TG-3 and Pentax MX-1, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the TG-3 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") possess different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-3 was announced 10 months later than the MX-1 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the TG-3 grades vs the MX-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Pentax MX-1

 TG-3 MX-1 
AnnouncedMarch 2014July 2013More recent by 10 months

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus TG-3

 MX-1 TG-3 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Pentax MX-1

 TG-3 MX-1 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-3 comes with physical dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") and a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-3 and Pentax MX-1 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 are utilising during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the TG-3 against the MX-1.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-3 and MX-1 is 90 and 84 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements only by researching technical specs. The photograph underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-3 and MX-1.

As you can tell, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The TG-3 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh trickier and the Olympus TG-3 will provide you with more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The newer TG-3 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-3
Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
37
resolution is good (16MP)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
42
focusing manually
includes face detect focus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Street photography advice
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competition in class (247 grams)
65
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography advice
47
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery life (330 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
good battery (290 shots)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Travel photography camera
74
good battery life (330 CIPA)
environment proof
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competition in class (247g)
display isn't selfie friendly
61
good battery (290 shots)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (391 grams)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
56
quite wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
environment proof
good battery life (330 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
55
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
good battery (290 CIPA)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
34
quite wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (247 grams)
33
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing mic support
heavier than competitors (391g)
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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus Tough TG-3Pentax MX-1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Pentax MX-1
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-03-31 2013-07-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT-LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247 gr (0.54 pounds) 391 gr (0.86 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 49
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.3
DXO Low light score not tested 208
Other
Battery life 330 shots 290 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $350 $400