• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Ricoh GR advantages over Olympus TG-850

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    300 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus TG-850 advantages over Ricoh GR

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $799 (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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Wider angle lens
    21 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

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Buy the Olympus TG-850

Review Excerpt

  • The most compact APS-C camera on the market; Bright, sharp 28mm f/2.8 prime lens with almost no distortion; Excellent image quality; Extremely customizable; Fast autofocus; Strong built-in flash plus hot shoe.

  • Fixed prime lens is not for everybody; Crowded and small controls; Burst performance is limited; Muted colors and cool white balance; Has issues with moire and false color.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Ricoh GR
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Olympus TG-850
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus TG-860

Ricoh GR
Olympus TG-860
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Olympus TG-850
Olympus TG-860
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR
Ricoh GR II
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Olympus TG-850
Ricoh GR II
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus TG-870

Ricoh GR
Olympus TG-870
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus TG-850
Olympus TG-870
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Ricoh GR
Fujifilm X70
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Integrated ND filter
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Olympus TG-850
Fujifilm X70
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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