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Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A9

Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Tough TG-4 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A9 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
  • Launched April 2015
  • Replaced the Olympus TG-3
  • Replacement is Olympus TG-5
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Updated by Sony A9 II
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Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A9 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus TG-4 and Sony A9, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the TG-4 (16MP) and A9 (24MP) and the TG-4 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) posses different sensor size.

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The TG-4 was unveiled 24 months before the A9 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-4 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the TG-4 scores vs the A9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-4 over the Sony A9

 TG-4 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Olympus TG-4

 A9 TG-4 
ReleasedApril 2017April 2015More modern by 24 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k460kClearer screen (+980k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-4 and Sony A9

 TG-4 A9 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-4 offers outer measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus TG-4 and Sony A9 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the TG-4 against the A9.

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-4 and A9 is 90 and 65 respectively.

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes only by going over specs. The pic here may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-4 and A9.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The TG-4 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Sony A9 will deliver extra detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged TG-4 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Portrait photography factors
Sony A9 Portrait photography factors
47
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
83
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-4 as a Street photography camera
Sony A9 as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (247 grams)
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch to focus
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-4 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery power (380 shots)
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
86
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-4
Travel photography with Sony A9
74
good battery power (380 shots)
weather proof
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competitors in class (247g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
73
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
resolution is good (24MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A9 Landscape photography highlights
62
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
exports RAW files
weather proof
good battery power (380 CIPA)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
85
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-4
Vlogging with Sony A9
34
relatively wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (247g)
36
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic port
display is not selfie friendly
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Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-4 and Sony A9
 Olympus Tough TG-4Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-4 Sony Alpha A9
Class Waterproof Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2015-04-13 2017-04-19
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 25 693
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.90 m (at ISO 1600) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247 gr (0.54 lb) 673 gr (1.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 380 images 650 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 2
Cost at release $379 $4,498