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Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Tough TG-4 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus TG-4
(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 April 2015
  • Replaced the Olympus TG-3
  • Newer Model is Olympus TG-5
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Following is a comprehensive review of the Olympus TG-4 and Pentax K-1, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the TG-4 (16MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the TG-4 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) offer different sensor size.

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The TG-4 was revealed 10 months prior to the K-1 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-4 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the TG-4 matches up versus the K-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-4 over the Pentax K-1

 TG-4 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Olympus TG-4

 K-1 TG-4 
RevealedFebruary 2016April 2015More modern by 10 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-4 and Pentax K-1

 TG-4 K-1 
Manual focus More precise focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-4 offers physical 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 Pentax K-1 has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-4 and Pentax K-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the TG-4 versus the K-1.

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-4 and K-1 is 90 and 55 respectively.

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by viewing specifications. The pic here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-4 and K-1.

Plainly, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The TG-4 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 20 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged TG-4 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography highlights
47
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
85
you can focus manually
megapixel count great (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Street photography factors
Pentax K-1 Street photography factors
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (247 grams)
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
very good ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-4
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (4.4 fps)
not so great battery (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Travel photography features
Pentax K-1 Travel photography features
74
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
weather proof
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competition (247 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
environment sealing
megapixel count great (36MP)
not so great battery (760 shots)
more heavy than competition (1,010 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-4 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Landscape photography camera
62
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery life (380 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
not so great battery (760 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-4
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
34
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
heavier than competition (247 grams)
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition (1,010 grams)
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Olympus TG-4 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-4 and Pentax K-1
 Olympus Tough TG-4Pentax K-1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Tough TG-4 Pentax K-1
Category Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Released 2015-04-13 2016-02-17
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 6400 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 25 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.90 m (at ISO 1600) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/200s
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247 gr (0.54 lb) 1010 gr (2.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 380 images 760 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots 1 Two
Pricing at launch $379 $1,499