• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 72.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Samsung TL500 advantages over Olympus TG-3

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.08 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    16 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus TG-3 advantages over Samsung TL500

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    100 mm vs 72 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • 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

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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

Compare Samsung TL500 vs Olympus XZ-1

Olympus TG-3
Olympus XZ-1
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Olympus XZ-1

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

Compare Samsung TL500 vs Olympus XZ-2

Olympus TG-3
Olympus XZ-2
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Olympus XZ-2

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

Compare Samsung TL500 vs Canon N100

Olympus TG-3
Canon N100
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Canon N100

Compared to Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Samsung TL500
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Samsung TL500 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Olympus TG-3
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Samsung TL500
Olympus TG-4
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Samsung TL500 vs Olympus TG-4

Olympus TG-3
Olympus TG-4
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Olympus TG-4

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