Clicky

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Olympus TG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Newer Model is Olympus TG-4
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5N
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5T
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Olympus TG-3 and Sony NEX-5R, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is fairly similar but the TG-3 (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The TG-3 was manufactured 20 months later than the NEX-5R making them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the TG-3 scores vs the NEX-5R in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

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

 TG-3 NEX-5R 
AnnouncedMarch 2014August 2012Fresher by 20 months

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

 NEX-5R TG-3 
Manual focus Very accurate 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-5R

 TG-3 NEX-5R 
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

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

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus TG-3 has outside dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") having a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check the Olympus TG-3 and Sony NEX-5R in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the TG-3 and the NEX-5R.

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

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and NEX-5R is 90 and 89 respectively.

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

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

Sometimes, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading specs. The photograph here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-3 and NEX-5R.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with the identical megapixels but different sensor sizing. The TG-3 offers the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh tougher. The newer TG-3 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

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

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

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography information
37
megapixel count good (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography info
Sony NEX-5R Street photography info
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than average (247 grams)
80
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Sports photography camera
47
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery life (330 CIPA)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
68
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography factors
74
better than average battery life (330 shots)
weather proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than average (247g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
73
boasts focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography information
56
relatively wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather proof
better than average battery life (330 per charge)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
75
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have microphone port
more heavy than average (247g)
31
touchscreen functionality
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of mic jack
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Sony NEX-5R
 Olympus Tough TG-3Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-3 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Category Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-03-31 2012-08-29
Body design 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 99
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT-LCD Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247 gr (0.54 pounds) 276 gr (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 910
Other
Battery life 330 photos 330 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $350 $750