• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic DMC-TS2 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    24 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Samsung NX500 advantages over Panasonic DMC-TS2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.63 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.8 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX500

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality with high-resolution files; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Fast AF performance; Compact design with good build quality; Better ergonomics than predecessor; 4K video recording.

  • High ISO noise reduction too strong; AF struggles in low-light; Buffer depth is shallow with RAW files; No option for EVF; No built-in flash (external one included); 4K Video is cropped with narrower FOV.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Panasonic DMC-TS2
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
Samsung NX500
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon SD970 IS

Panasonic DMC-TS2
Canon SD970 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
Samsung NX500
Canon SD970 IS
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic TS4

Panasonic DMC-TS2
Panasonic TS4
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Manual focus
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
Samsung NX500
Panasonic TS4
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Panasonic DMC-TS2
Canon EOS M3
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Samsung NX500
Canon EOS M3
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony A6500

Panasonic DMC-TS2
Sony A6500
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Samsung NX500
Sony A6500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Compare Other Cameras?