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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A380

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A380 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
  • Renewed by Olympus TG-4
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A350
  • Updated by Sony A390
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A380 Overview

Following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony A380, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the A380 (14MP) is fairly close but the TG-3 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The TG-3 was unveiled 4 years after the A380 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the TG-3 grades against the A380 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Sony A380

 TG-3 A380 
LaunchedMarch 2014August 2009More modern by 56 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Olympus TG-3

 A380 TG-3 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Sony A380

 TG-3 A380 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-3 features outer measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony A380 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony A380 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-3 against the A380.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and A380 is 90 and 68 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes purely by viewing specifications. The picture below might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-3 and A380.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The TG-3 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Olympus TG-3 will result in more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The younger TG-3 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography features
Sony A380 Portrait photography features
37
good MP (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Street photography camera
Sony A380 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than average (247 grams)
76
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-3
Sports photography with Sony A380
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
great battery life (330 CIPA)
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
59
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
low battery power (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-3
Travel photography with Sony A380
74
great battery life (330 CIPA)
environment proof
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than average (247 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
53
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
low battery power (500 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography information
Sony A380 Landscape photography information
56
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
environment proof
great battery life (330 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low battery power (500 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging details
Sony A380 Vlogging details
34
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than average (247g)
9
can't shoot video
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Sony A380
 Olympus Tough TG-3Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2014-03-31 2009-08-24
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247 gr (0.54 pounds) 519 gr (1.14 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 614
Other
Battery life 330 shots 500 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $350 $899