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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax S1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax S1 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
  • New Model is Olympus TG-4
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched March 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Olympus TG-3 versus Pentax S1, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is fairly similar and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The TG-3 was launched 3 years after the S1 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the TG-3 grades against the S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Pentax S1

 TG-3 S1 
LaunchedMarch 2014March 2011More modern by 38 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Olympus TG-3

 S1 TG-3 
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Pentax S1

 TG-3 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-3 features physical measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-3 versus Pentax S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the TG-3 versus the S1.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-3 and S1 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes just by going over a spec sheet. The image here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-3 and S1.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can anticipate the Olympus TG-3 to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer TG-3 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Portrait photography camera
37
good resolution (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
35
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than others (247g)
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography features
Pentax S1 Sports photography features
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery (330 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Travel photography info
Pentax S1 Travel photography info
74
better than average battery (330 shots)
weather proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than others (247g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
64
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography features
Pentax S1 Landscape photography features
56
quite wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
weather proofing
better than average battery (330 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
42
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging details
Pentax S1 Vlogging details
34
quite wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than others (247g)
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Pentax S1
 Olympus Tough TG-3Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Pentax Optio S1
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-03-31 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT-LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247 grams (0.54 lbs) 157 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 260 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $350 $174