• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon ELPH 500 HS advantages over Olympus TG-4

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    186g vs 247g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus TG-4 advantages over Canon ELPH 500 HS

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 180 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    10 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.26 vs 0.49 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 1.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Canon ELPH 500 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-4
Olympus TG-4 (Black)
  • Olympus TG-4 (Black)
  • Olympus TG-4 (Red)
All TG-4 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Backlit sensor; High Resolution screen; Touchscreen interface; 24mm equivalent wide-angle zoom; Full HD video.

  • Below-average battery life; Touchscreen requires more pressure than cell phones; Zoom toggle difficult to use; Soft corners and moderate chromatic aberration.

  • Read our Canon ELPH 500 HS Express Review

  • Rugged and waterproof camera body; RAW image capture; fast f/2.0 maximum aperture; fun shooting modes; fast AF speeds for its class.

  • Heavy noise reduction, even at base ISO; no continuous RAW image capture; underwhelming video performance.

  • Read our Olympus TG-4 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD4000 IS

Canon ELPH 500 HS
Canon SD4000 IS
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD4000 IS

Olympus TG-4
Canon SD4000 IS
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Canon SD4000 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX700

Canon ELPH 500 HS
Panasonic DMC-FX700
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $204
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic DMC-FX700

Olympus TG-4
Panasonic DMC-FX700
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $204
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Lighter weight

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic DMC-FX700

Compared to Olympus TG-1

Canon ELPH 500 HS
Olympus TG-1
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus TG-1

Olympus TG-4
Olympus TG-1
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • RAW file ability
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Olympus TG-1

Compared to Olympus TG-3

Canon ELPH 500 HS
Olympus TG-3
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus TG-3

Olympus TG-4
Olympus TG-3
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Olympus TG-3

Compared to Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Canon ELPH 500 HS
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Olympus TG-4
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Compare Other Cameras?