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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony QX1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
63
Features
48
Overall
57

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony QX1 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
  • Released March 2014
  • Renewed by Olympus TG-4
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Launched September 2014
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony QX1 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Olympus TG-3 and Sony QX1, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Lens-style by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is very close but the TG-3 (1/2.3") and QX1 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

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The TG-3 was revealed 5 months prior to the QX1 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the TG-3 grades vs the QX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Sony QX1

 TG-3 QX1 
Display dimension3""Larger display (+3")
Display resolution460k0kSharper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Olympus TG-3

 QX1 TG-3 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Sony QX1

 TG-3 QX1 
LaunchedMarch 2014September 2014Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-3 has got exterior 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) whilst the Sony QX1 has proportions of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") having a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-3 and Sony QX1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the TG-3 and the QX1.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and QX1 is 90 and 90 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-3 and QX1.

As you can see, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The TG-3 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony QX1 will render more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography details
Sony QX1 Portrait photography details
37
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
66
manual focus
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-3
Street photography with Sony QX1
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competition in class (247g)
69
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (216 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography features
Sony QX1 Sports photography features
47
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
great battery power (330 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
56
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery pack (440 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Travel photography factors
Sony QX1 Travel photography factors
74
great battery power (330 CIPA)
environment sealing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competition in class (247g)
display is not selfie friendly
71
good battery pack (440 per charge)
comes with focus via touch
good MP (20MP)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (216 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography information
Sony QX1 Landscape photography information
56
relatively wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
environment sealing
great battery power (330 CIPA)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
64
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (440 CIPA)
screen is somewhat small ( inches)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony QX1 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic support
heavier than competition in class (247 grams)
32
touchscreen enabled
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (216 grams)
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Sony QX1
 Olympus Tough TG-3Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Sony Alpha QX1
Type Waterproof Lens-style
Released 2014-03-31 2014-09-03
Physical type Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 1.6
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" -
Resolution of display 460k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247g (0.54 lb) 216g (0.48 lb)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
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 photos 440 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots One One
Cost at release $350 $500