• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Olympus TG-3

  • 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
    ~ 5.20 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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-3 advantages over Canon XSi

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • 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 61 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    10 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    247g vs 539g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 53 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon XSi

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-3
Olympus TG-3
All TG-3 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D60

Canon XSi
Nikon D60
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Less shutter lag
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon D60

Olympus TG-3
Nikon D60
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi
Pentax K2000
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • More AF points
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Pentax K2000

Olympus TG-3
Pentax K2000
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi
Canon T1i
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out

Compare Canon XSi vs Canon T1i

Olympus TG-3
Canon T1i
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Canon T1i

Compared to Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Canon XSi
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Canon XSi vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Olympus TG-3
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Canon XSi
Olympus TG-4
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XSi vs Olympus TG-4

Olympus TG-3
Olympus TG-4
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Olympus TG-4

Compare Other Cameras?