Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax XG-1
90 Imaging
40 Features
46 Overall
42


66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
38
Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed March 2014
- Successor is Olympus TG-4
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
- 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
- Announced July 2014

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus TG-3 versus Pentax XG-1, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The TG-3 was launched 3 months before the XG-1 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the TG-3 grades vs the XG-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Tough TG-3 and Pentax XG-1. The complete galleries are available at Olympus TG-3 Gallery and Pentax XG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Pentax XG-1
TG-3 | XG-1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Olympus TG-3
XG-1 | TG-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing |
Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Pentax XG-1
TG-3 | XG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2014 | ![]() | July 2014 | Similar generation |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly display |
Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and size. 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 XG-1 has specifications of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).
Compare the Olympus TG-3 versus Pentax XG-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the TG-3 and the XG-1.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and XG-1 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-3 and XG-1.
Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP and you should expect similar quality of pictures though you have to consider the release date of the products into consideration.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications
Olympus Tough TG-3 | Pentax XG-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus Tough TG-3 | Pentax XG-1 |
Type | Waterproof | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2014-03-31 | 2014-07-15 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic VII | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
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 | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | 24-1248mm (52.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/2.8-5.6 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | TFT-LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 200 thousand dots |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 4 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.0fps | 9.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | - | 6.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED | Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB 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) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 247 gr (0.54 lb) | 567 gr (1.25 lb) |
Dimensions | 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") | 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") |
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 | 240 shots |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-92B | LB-060 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $350 | $599 |