• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Olympus TG-850 advantages over Olympus AIR

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 43 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus AIR advantages over Olympus TG-850

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    23 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus AIR

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic TS5

Olympus TG-850
Panasonic TS5
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Olympus AIR
Panasonic TS5
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Waterproof

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Olympus TG-850
Panasonic GM1
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus AIR
Panasonic GM1
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Olympus TG-860

Olympus TG-850
Olympus TG-860
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
Olympus AIR
Olympus TG-860
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Waterproof

Compared to Olympus TG-870

Olympus TG-850
Olympus TG-870
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
Olympus AIR
Olympus TG-870
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Waterproof

Compared to YI M1

Olympus TG-850
YI M1
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus AIR
YI M1
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster shutter
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Shoot 4K video
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