• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 72.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Samsung TL500 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Samsung TL500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.08 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    7 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 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 16 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Olympus XZ-1

Samsung TL500
Olympus XZ-1
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Integrated ND filter
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus XZ-1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Samsung TL500
Olympus XZ-2
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus XZ-2
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter

Compared to Canon N100

Samsung TL500
Canon N100
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-PL9
Canon N100
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Samsung TL500
Panasonic GX85
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Thinner
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Samsung TL500
Olympus E-PL8
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
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