• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus TG-820 advantages over Sony HX20V

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.55 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 34 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony HX20V advantages over Olympus TG-820

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.2 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    500 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus TG-610

Olympus TG-820
Olympus TG-610
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-820 vs Olympus TG-610

Sony HX20V
Olympus TG-610
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony HX20V vs Olympus TG-610

Compared to Olympus TG-810

Olympus TG-820
Olympus TG-810
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-820 vs Olympus TG-810

Sony HX20V
Olympus TG-810
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner

Compare Sony HX20V vs Olympus TG-810

Compared to Sony HX30V

Olympus TG-820
Sony HX30V
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Olympus TG-820 vs Sony HX30V

Sony HX20V
Sony HX30V
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V

Compared to Fujifilm XP170

Olympus TG-820
Fujifilm XP170
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-820 vs Fujifilm XP170

Sony HX20V
Fujifilm XP170
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Sony HX20V vs Fujifilm XP170

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Olympus TG-820
Panasonic ZS35
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Olympus TG-820 vs Panasonic ZS35

Sony HX20V
Panasonic ZS35
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony HX20V vs Panasonic ZS35

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