Olympus TG-5 vs Sony HX1

Here, we will be looking at the Olympus TG-5 vs Sony HX1, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the TG-5 (12MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the TG-5 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") offer different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-5 was revealed 8 years later than the HX1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-5 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the TG-5 matches up vs the HX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Tough TG-5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. The full galleries are available at Olympus TG-5 Gallery & Sony HX1 Gallery.

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus TG-5 features exterior measurements of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony HX1 has specifications of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Check the Olympus TG-5 vs Sony HX1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the TG-5 versus the HX1.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the TG-5 and HX1 is 90 and 67 respectively.

Oftentimes, it's tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing specifications. The photograph below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-5 and HX1.

To sum up, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The TG-5 using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Olympus TG-5 will provide more detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more recent TG-5 provides an edge in sensor innovation.