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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5N 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
  • Launched March 2014
  • Refreshed by Olympus TG-4
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Revealed October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5R
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony NEX-5N, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is very close but the TG-3 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The TG-3 was brought out 2 years later than the NEX-5N and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the TG-3 scores versus the NEX-5N with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Sony NEX-5N

 TG-3 NEX-5N 
RevealedMarch 2014October 2011Fresher by 31 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus TG-3

 NEX-5N TG-3 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Sony NEX-5N

 TG-3 NEX-5N 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus TG-3 comes with physical dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") along with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony NEX-5N in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the TG-3 versus the NEX-5N.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the TG-3 and NEX-5N is 90 and 89 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by looking through specs. The graphic here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-3 and NEX-5N.

All in all, both of these cameras have the same MP but not the same sensor sizing. The TG-3 offers the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult. The more recent TG-3 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography features
37
resolution is good (16MP)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Street photography highlights
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (247 grams)
80
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
offers focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography advice
47
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery life (330 per charge)
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
58
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery life (460 CIPA)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography information
74
good battery life (330 CIPA)
environment sealing
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competition in class (247 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
great battery life (460 shots)
offers focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography features
56
decently wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
environment sealing
good battery life (330 CIPA)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
71
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-3
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
34
decently wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (247g)
33
touch screen
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic support
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus Tough TG-3Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Class Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-03-31 2011-10-03
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT-LCD Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247 gr (0.54 lbs) 269 gr (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 460 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $350 $550