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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX1

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX1 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
  • Replacement is Olympus TG-4
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Announced April 2009
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX1 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus TG-3 and Sony HX1, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the TG-3 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The TG-3 was brought out 5 years later than the HX1 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the TG-3 matches up against the HX1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Sony HX1

 TG-3 HX1 
AnnouncedMarch 2014April 2009Fresher by 61 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Olympus TG-3

 HX1 TG-3 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Sony HX1

 TG-3 HX1 
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-3 offers outer measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") and a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Sony HX1 has proportions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus TG-3 and Sony HX1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the TG-3 compared to the HX1.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-3 and HX1 is 90 and 67 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by going through specifications. The photograph underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-3 and HX1.

Plainly, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The TG-3 featuring a bigger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Olympus TG-3 will produce more detail having its extra 7MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The younger TG-3 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography features
Sony HX1 Portrait photography features
37
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
focusing manually
can't use external flash
resolution not great (9MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-3
Street photography with Sony HX1
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than others in class (247 grams)
50
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Sports photography camera
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery (330 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
36
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Travel photography information
Sony HX1 Travel photography information
74
better than average battery (330 per charge)
environment proofing
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than others in class (247 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
48
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (544g)
resolution not great (9MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX1 Landscape photography advice
56
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
better than average battery (330 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
39
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (9MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging advice
Sony HX1 Vlogging advice
34
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than others in class (247 grams)
22
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1440 x 1080 pxls)
no external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (544 grams)
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Sony HX1
 Olympus Tough TG-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-03-31 2009-04-22
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 9.20 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1440x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247 grams (0.54 pounds) 544 grams (1.20 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-92B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $350 $47,999