• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Olympus TG-2 advantages over Nikon J3

  • Less expensive
    $380 vs $600 (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 GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos

Nikon J3 advantages over Olympus TG-2

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 240 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.86 vs 1.55 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 610k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • 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 JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Olympus TG-2

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Buy the Nikon J3
Nikon J3

Review Excerpt

  • Fast f/2 lens at wide angle; Decent image quality for its class; Excellent waterproof and rugged specs; Solid feature set, including the cool Microscopic Macro function for super closeups; Aperture priority mode; Peppy performance and good battery life; Accepts conversion lenses.

  • Tendency to underexpose shots in Auto mode; Aggressive noise reduction smudges fine detail; Poor video quality with lots of artifacts; No built-in Wi-Fi.

  • Read our Olympus TG-2 Express Review
  • We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon J3, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • See our Nikon J3 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J1

Olympus TG-2
Nikon J1
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Nikon J1

Nikon J3
Nikon J1
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dots on screen
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon J3 vs Nikon J1

Compared to Olympus TG-1

Olympus TG-2
Olympus TG-1
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus TG-1

Nikon J3
Olympus TG-1
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Nikon J3 vs Olympus TG-1

Compared to Nikon J2

Olympus TG-2
Nikon J2
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Nikon J2

Nikon J3
Nikon J2
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon J3 vs Nikon J2

Compared to Olympus TG-3

Olympus TG-2
Olympus TG-3
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus TG-3

Nikon J3
Olympus TG-3
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Nikon J3 vs Olympus TG-3

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Olympus TG-2
Olympus TG-4
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus TG-4

Nikon J3
Olympus TG-4
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon J3 vs Olympus TG-4

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