• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Olympus TG-6

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.63 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus TG-6 advantages over Samsung NX500

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Slower slow-motion
    480 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 8.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 8.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    18 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

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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.

  • Read our Samsung NX500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Samsung NX500
Olympus TG-4
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Olympus TG-4

Olympus TG-6
Olympus TG-4
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus TG-6 vs Olympus TG-4

Compared to Sony A6300

Samsung NX500
Sony A6300
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $848
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6300

Olympus TG-6
Sony A6300
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $848
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A6300

Compared to Sony A6500

Samsung NX500
Sony A6500
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6500

Olympus TG-6
Sony A6500
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A6500

Compared to Olympus TG-5

Samsung NX500
Olympus TG-5
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Olympus TG-5

Olympus TG-6
Olympus TG-5
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus TG-6 vs Olympus TG-5

Compared to Leica TL2

Samsung NX500
Leica TL2
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster RAW shooting

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Leica TL2

Olympus TG-6
Leica TL2
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-6 vs Leica TL2

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