Samsung NX500 vs Olympus TG-870

Cameras
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Samsung NX500 vs Olympus TG-870

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APS-C 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX500 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX500.
Compare Samsung NX500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX500 conclusion.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.0 megapixels
21.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Olympus TG-870 Review.

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Differences

Samsung NX500 advantages over Olympus TG-870

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.63 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
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
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

370 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution 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 JPEG shooting
8.8 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
38 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus TG-870 advantages over Samsung NX500

Waterproof
Yes vs No
Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
Slower slow-motion
240 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
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
27 mm vs 42 mm
Thinner

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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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Read NX500 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read TG-870 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

We haven’t finished our review of the Olympus TG-870, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Olympus TG-870 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Samsung NX500

Olympus TG-850

$1600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$249
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Olympus TG-850

Olympus TG-870

Olympus TG-850

$279
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$249
1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus TG-870 vs Olympus TG-850

Compared to Olympus TG-860

Samsung NX500

Olympus TG-860

$1600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$230
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Olympus TG-860

Olympus TG-870

Olympus TG-860

$279
1/2.3 inch

More dots on screen

$230
1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus TG-870 vs Olympus TG-860

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX500

Canon EOS M3

$1600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$700
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Internal flash

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Canon EOS M3

Olympus TG-870

Canon EOS M3

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

$700
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus TG-870 vs Canon EOS M3

Compared to Sony A6500

Samsung NX500

Sony A6500

$1600
APS-C

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1216
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX500 vs Sony A6500

Olympus TG-870

Sony A6500

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

$1216
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A6500

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-870

Leica TL2

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

$2495
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus TG-870 vs Leica TL2

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