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Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic G3

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic G3 Key Specs

Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Revealed May 2017
  • Replaced the Olympus TG-4
  • Later Model is Olympus TG-6
Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic G2
  • Renewed by Panasonic G5
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Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic G3 Overview

The following is a extensive analysis of the Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic G3, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the TG-5 (12MP) and G3 (16MP) and the TG-5 (1/2.3") and G3 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor sizing.

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The TG-5 was manufactured 5 years after the G3 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-5 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the TG-5 scores against the G3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Panasonic G3

 TG-5 G3 
AnnouncedMay 2017July 2011Newer by 72 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Olympus TG-5

 G3 TG-5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic G3

 TG-5 G3 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic G3 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-5 enjoys exterior measurements of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Panasonic G3 has proportions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") along with a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic G3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the TG-5 compared to the G3.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic G3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-5 and G3 is 90 and 83 respectively.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic G3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The pic below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-5 and G3.

As you can tell, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The TG-5 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic G3 will give you greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger TG-5 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-5
Portrait photography with Panasonic G3
39
has manual focus
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
70
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic G3 as a Street photography camera
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
environment proof
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than average (250 grams)
75
screen articulates
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
has focus via touch
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Sports photography info
Panasonic G3 Sports photography info
46
max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
good battery power (340 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
46
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
terrible battery (270 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-5
Travel photography with Panasonic G3
68
good battery power (340 shots)
environment proof
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than average (250 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
has focus via touch
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery (270 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-5
Landscape photography with Panasonic G3
57
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
environment proof
good battery power (340 CIPA)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
62
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
terrible battery (270 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Vlogging factors
Panasonic G3 Vlogging factors
34
pretty wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
heavier than average (250 grams)
70
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
offers face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
no image stabilization
missing mic socket
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Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic G3
 Olympus Tough TG-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Tough TG-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2017-05-17 2011-07-11
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3448
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 25 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 11.00 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps))
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
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 Built-in None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lbs) 336 gr (0.74 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 56
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.6
DXO Low light score not tested 667
Other
Battery life 340 shots 270 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $449 $500