Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A99
90 Imaging
40 Features
46 Overall
42
57 Imaging
69 Features
88 Overall
76
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A99 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
- Revealed December 2012
- Previous Model is Sony A900
- Later Model is Sony A99 II
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Lets take a deeper look at the Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A99, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and A99 (24MP) and the TG-3 (1/2.3") and A99 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor dimensions.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe TG-3 was brought out 16 months after the A99 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the TG-3 scores against the A99 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Tough TG-3 & Sony SLT-A99. The entire galleries are available at Olympus TG-3 Gallery & Sony A99 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Sony A99
| TG-3 | A99 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | March 2014 | December 2012 | Newer by 16 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Olympus TG-3
| A99 | TG-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very precise focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen resolution | 1229k | 460k | Sharper screen (+769k dot) | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Sony A99
| TG-3 | A99 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen sizing | |
| Touch screen | Neither provides Touch screen |
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to travel with your camera, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-3 provides exterior 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) whilst the Sony A99 has dimensions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).
Check out the Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A99 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the TG-3 compared to the A99.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and A99 is 90 and 57 respectively.
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by checking technical specs. The image underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-3 and A99.
As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The TG-3 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony A99 will give you extra detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The fresher TG-3 will have an advantage in sensor technology.
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A99 Specifications
| Olympus Tough TG-3 | Sony SLT-A99 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus Tough TG-3 | Sony SLT-A99 |
| Category | Waterproof | Advanced DSLR |
| Launched | 2014-03-31 | 2012-12-12 |
| Physical type | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | TruePic VII | Bionz |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Full frame |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 35.8 x 23.8mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 852.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 24MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 19 |
| Cross focus points | - | 11 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | - |
| Largest aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | - |
| Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
| Number of lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 1,229 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Display technology | TFT-LCD | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359 thousand dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.71x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | - | no built-in flash |
| Flash modes | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | - | 1/250s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | BuiltIn | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 247 grams (0.54 lbs) | 812 grams (1.79 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") | 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 89 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 25.0 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 14.0 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 1555 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 330 shots | 500 shots |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | LI-92B | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC |
| Card slots | One | Two |
| Cost at release | $350 | $1,998 |