• 1.5 inch 261.8mm2
  • 14.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon G1X advantages over Olympus TG-4

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    1.5 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus TG-4 advantages over Canon G1X

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    247g vs 543g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.26 vs 0.70 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus TG-4
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  • Olympus TG-4 (Black)
  • Olympus TG-4 (Red)
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Review Excerpt

  • Large-sensor image quality. Sharp lens with useful zoom range. Tilt/swivel LCD. Twin dials. Smaller than competing interchangeable-lens cameras with a similar lens. Lots of photographer-friendly features.

  • Not as small as you might hope. Mediocre burst shooting and autofocus speed. Far too easy to accidentally change exposure compensation. Viewfinder is of surprisingly little use. Battery life could be better.

  • Read our Canon G1X Review

  • Rugged and waterproof camera body; RAW image capture; fast f/2.0 maximum aperture; fun shooting modes; fast AF speeds for its class.

  • Heavy noise reduction, even at base ISO; no continuous RAW image capture; underwhelming video performance.

  • Read our Olympus TG-4 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon G1X
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Olympus TG-4
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Canon G1X
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Olympus TG-4
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Compared to Olympus TG-3

Canon G1X
Olympus TG-3
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Canon G1X vs Olympus TG-3

Olympus TG-4
Olympus TG-3
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Olympus TG-3

Compared to Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Canon G1X
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Canon G1X vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Olympus TG-4
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Canon G1X
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon G1X Mark III

Olympus TG-4
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Canon G1X Mark III

Compare Other Cameras?