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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Launched March 2014
  • Successor is Olympus TG-4
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released February 2010
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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90, both Waterproof cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and W90 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The TG-3 was revealed 4 years later than the W90 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the TG-3 matches up vs the W90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Pentax W90

 TG-3 W90 
ReleasedMarch 2014February 2010More recent by 50 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Olympus TG-3

 W90 TG-3 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Pentax W90

 TG-3 W90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus TG-3 offers outer dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Pentax W90 has specifications of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the TG-3 compared to the W90.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and W90 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements purely by viewing technical specs. The photograph underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-3 and W90.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus TG-3 to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher TG-3 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography details
Pentax W90 Portrait photography details
37
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
focusing manually
no manual exposure
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography advice
Pentax W90 Street photography advice
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competition in class (247g)
54
environment proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax W90 Sports photography highlights
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery (330 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
24
environment proofing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
74
better than average battery (330 shots)
weather sealing
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competition in class (247 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
64
environment proofing
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Landscape photography camera
56
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
weather sealing
better than average battery (330 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
37
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
environment proofing
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax W90 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
heavier than competition in class (247g)
25
decently wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Pentax W90
 Olympus Tough TG-3Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Pentax Optio W90
Type Waterproof Waterproof
Launched 2014-03-31 2010-02-24
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII Prime
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect 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
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247g (0.54 lbs) 164g (0.36 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-92B D-LI68
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 card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $350 $120