• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus TG-2 advantages over Sony WX500

  • 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)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony WX500 advantages over Olympus TG-2

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 610k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony WX500
Sony WX500 (Black)
  • Sony WX500 (Black)
  • Sony WX500 (White)
All WX500 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Fast f/2 lens at wide angle; Decent image quality for its class; Excellent waterproof and rugged specs; Solid feature set, including the cool Microscopic Macro function for super closeups; Aperture priority mode; Peppy performance and good battery life; Accepts conversion lenses.

  • Tendency to underexpose shots in Auto mode; Aggressive noise reduction smudges fine detail; Poor video quality with lots of artifacts; No built-in Wi-Fi.

  • Read our Olympus TG-2 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus TG-1

Olympus TG-2
Olympus TG-1
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus TG-1

Sony WX500
Olympus TG-1
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony WX500 vs Olympus TG-1

Compared to Pentax WG-3

Olympus TG-2
Pentax WG-3
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Pentax WG-3

Sony WX500
Pentax WG-3
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Sony WX500 vs Pentax WG-3

Compared to Olympus TG-3

Olympus TG-2
Olympus TG-3
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus TG-3

Sony WX500
Olympus TG-3
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Sony WX500 vs Olympus TG-3

Compared to Sony HX90V

Olympus TG-2
Sony HX90V
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Sony HX90V

Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX90V

Compared to Sony HX80

Olympus TG-2
Sony HX80
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Sony HX80

Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX80

Compare Other Cameras?