• APS-C 323.4mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon T3 advantages over Olympus TG-5

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
    ~ 5.15 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus TG-5 advantages over Canon T3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    154k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.17 vs 0.31 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    15 vs 3 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Canon T3
Kit with 18-55mm lens

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Buy the Olympus TG-5
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  • Olympus TG-5 (Black)
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Review Excerpt

  • Well-considered ergonomics and control layout; Solid build; Good image quality; Great battery life; High-def movie capture.

  • Frame rate and burst depth not the best, especially for raw; Weak flash for an SLR; No sensor cleaning function; No spot metering.

  • Read our Canon T3 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon T3
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Olympus TG-5
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Nikon D3100

Canon T3
Nikon D3100
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon T3 vs Nikon D3100

Olympus TG-5
Nikon D3100
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Nikon D3100

Compared to Sony A37

Canon T3
Sony A37
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon T3 vs Sony A37

Olympus TG-5
Sony A37
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A37

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Canon T3
Olympus TG-4
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3 vs Olympus TG-4

Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-4
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-4

Compared to Olympus TG-6

Canon T3
Olympus TG-6
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $466
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon T3 vs Olympus TG-6

Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-6
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $466
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-6

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