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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Revealed March 2014
  • Successor is Olympus TG-4
Pentax XG-1
(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
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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").

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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.

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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 
AnnouncedMarch 2014July 2014Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography details
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography details
37
resolution is good (16MP)
has face detection focus
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
40
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than average in class (247g)
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competition (567g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography information
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography information
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery life (330 CIPA)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
45
long zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Travel photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography factors
74
great battery life (330 shots)
environment proof
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than average in class (247 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
52
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (240 shots)
more heavy than competition (567 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography advice
56
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
environment proof
great battery life (330 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
45
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery life (240 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging factors
Pentax XG-1 Vlogging factors
34
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of external mic jack
heavier than average in class (247 grams)
25
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than competition (567 grams)
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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Pentax XG-1
 Olympus Tough TG-3Pentax 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