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Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A57

Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Tough TG-4 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A57 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
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Old Model is Olympus TG-3
  • New Model is Olympus TG-5
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Older Model is Sony A55
  • Refreshed by Sony A58
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Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A57 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus TG-4 and Sony A57, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the TG-4 (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is relatively close but the TG-4 (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The TG-4 was launched 2 years later than the A57 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-4 being a Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the TG-4 grades against the A57 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-4 over the Sony A57

 TG-4 A57 
RevealedApril 2015September 2012Fresher by 32 months

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Olympus TG-4

 A57 TG-4 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus TG-4 and Sony A57

 TG-4 A57 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-4 comes with exterior dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") and a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony A57 has dimensions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") having a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-4 and Sony A57 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-4 and the A57.

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-4 and A57 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to see the difference in sensor sizing simply by researching a spec sheet. The visual below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-4 and A57.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact resolution albeit not the same sensor sizing. The TG-4 features the smaller sensor which will make getting bokeh more difficult. The younger TG-4 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-4 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A57 as a Portrait photography camera
47
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
74
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Street photography information
Sony A57 Street photography information
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (247 grams)
75
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Sports photography information
Sony A57 Sports photography information
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery pack (380 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-4
Travel photography with Sony A57
74
great battery pack (380 shots)
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competitors (247g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
67
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Landscape photography information
Sony A57 Landscape photography information
62
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
72
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Vlogging features
Sony A57 Vlogging features
34
rather wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no external mic support
heavier than competitors (247g)
77
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic support
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Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-4 and Sony A57
 Olympus Tough TG-4Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Tough TG-4 Sony SLT-A57
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2015-04-13 2012-09-13
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 25 15
Cross focus points - 3
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 distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.90 m (at ISO 1600) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247g (0.54 lbs) 618g (1.36 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life 380 images 550 images
Battery style 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 recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $379 $1,000