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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony RX100

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
50
Features
68
Overall
57

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony RX100 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 RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Refreshed by Sony RX100 II
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony RX100 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony RX100, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the RX100 (20MP) is relatively close but the TG-3 (1/2.3") and RX100 (1") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The TG-3 was released 20 months later than the RX100 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the TG-3 grades vs the RX100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Sony RX100

 TG-3 RX100 
IntroducedMarch 2014August 2012Fresher by 20 months

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Olympus TG-3

 RX100 TG-3 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen resolution1229k460kCrisper screen (+769k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Sony RX100

 TG-3 RX100 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-3 has got physical measurements 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 RX100 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony RX100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the TG-3 compared to the RX100.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the TG-3 and RX100 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The graphic below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-3 and RX100.

Plainly, both of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The TG-3 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony RX100 will provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern TG-3 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography info
Sony RX100 Portrait photography info
37
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
64
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography features
Sony RX100 Street photography features
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition (247g)
79
built in image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography features
Sony RX100 Sports photography features
47
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
weather proof
great battery life (330 per charge)
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
supports tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Travel photography camera
74
great battery life (330 shots)
weather proof
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competition (247 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
79
lighter than competitors (240g)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-3
Landscape photography with Sony RX100
56
reasonably wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
weather proof
great battery life (330 CIPA)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging highlights
Sony RX100 Vlogging highlights
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competition (247 grams)
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (240g)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Sony RX100
 Olympus Tough TG-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Category Waterproof Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-03-31 2012-08-28
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT-LCD WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247g (0.54 lb) 240g (0.53 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 390
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 330 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $350 $448