• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 130.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony TX30 advantages over Olympus TG-850

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • More telephoto lens reach
    130 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    15 mm vs 27 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 218g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus TG-850 advantages over Sony TX30

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    21 mm vs 26 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Waterproof
    Both provide
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-850

Review Excerpt

  • Good image and video quality for a compact waterproof camera; Stylish, pocketable design; Improved ruggedness; Speedy performance including 10 fps continuous shooting at full resolution.

  • Touchscreen unusable and unviewable while submerged; Slim, slick design makes it unwieldy to hold (and difficult to hang onto!) underwater; Poor battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-TX10

Sony TX30
Sony DSC-TX10
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
Olympus TG-850
Sony DSC-TX10
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sony DSC-TX100V

Sony TX30
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Shoots 60p video
Olympus TG-850
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sony TX200V

Sony TX30
Sony TX200V
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Shoots 60p video
Olympus TG-850
Sony TX200V
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus TG-860

Sony TX30
Olympus TG-860
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
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 Olympus TG-870

Sony TX30
Olympus TG-870
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus TG-850
Olympus TG-870
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
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