Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A550
90 Imaging
40 Features
46 Overall
42
63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
58
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A550 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
- Introduced March 2014
- Successor is Olympus TG-4
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Released December 2009
- Replaced the Sony A100
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In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony A550, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the TG-3 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe TG-3 was introduced 4 years later than the A550 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the TG-3 grades vs the A550 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Tough TG-3 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus TG-3 Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Sony A550
| TG-3 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | March 2014 |  | December 2009 | More recent by 53 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus TG-3
| A550 | TG-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | Dial exact focus | ||
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen resolution | 922k |  | 460k | Crisper screen (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Sony A550
| TG-3 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Neither provides Touch screen |
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-3 provides physical measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") and a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony A550 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony A550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the TG-3 vs the A550.
Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and A550 is 90 and 63 respectively.
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor measurements merely by checking out specifications. The visual below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-3 and A550.
Plainly, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The TG-3 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Olympus TG-3 will provide more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger TG-3 will have an edge in sensor technology.
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A550 Specifications
| Olympus Tough TG-3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus Tough TG-3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
| Category | Waterproof | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Introduced | 2014-03-31 | 2009-12-09 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | TruePic VII | Bionz |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | - |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | - |
| Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
| Total lenses | - | 143 |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 922k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen tech | TFT-LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | - | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
| Video file 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 | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 247 gr (0.54 lbs) | 632 gr (1.39 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.9 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.8 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 807 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 330 photos | 480 photos |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | LI-92B | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at release | $350 | $749 |