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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Successor is Olympus TG-4
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • Later Model is Sony HX30V
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Here, we are comparing the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony HX20V, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-3 was introduced 21 months later than the HX20V making them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the TG-3 scores versus the HX20V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Sony HX20V

 TG-3 HX20V 
RevealedMarch 2014July 2012More recent by 21 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Olympus TG-3

 HX20V TG-3 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display resolution922k460kSharper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Sony HX20V

 TG-3 HX20V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-3 comes with outside dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony HX20V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony HX20V in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the TG-3 vs the HX20V.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the TG-3 and HX20V is 90 and 90 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements purely by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-3 and HX20V.

Clearly, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony HX20V to result in greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The younger TG-3 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Portrait photography camera
37
resolution is good (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
45
has manual focus
decent MP (18MP)
has face detect focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-3
Street photography with Sony HX20V
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (247 grams)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Sports photography camera
47
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (330 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
has tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-3
Travel photography with Sony HX20V
74
better than average battery pack (330 shots)
environment proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competitors in class (247g)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition (254g)
decent MP (18MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography information
Sony HX20V Landscape photography information
56
relatively wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (330 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
50
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging factors
Sony HX20V Vlogging factors
34
relatively wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (247g)
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (254g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have mic support
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Sony HX20V
 Olympus Tough TG-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-03-31 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT-LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247g (0.54 lbs) 254g (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 images 320 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $350 $397