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Nikon S3500 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS

Portability
95
Imaging
44
Features
25
Overall
36
Nikon Coolpix S3500 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38

Nikon S3500 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Key Specs

Nikon S3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-182mm (F3.4-6.4) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 58 x 21mm
  • Launched February 2013
Olympus TG-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 111 x 67 x 29mm
  • Launched June 2013
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Nikon S3500 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Nikon S3500 and Olympus TG-2 iHS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Nikon and Olympus. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the S3500 (20MP) and TG-2 iHS (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S3500 was revealed 4 months before the TG-2 iHS and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the S3500 matches up vs the TG-2 iHS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3500 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS

 S3500 TG-2 iHS 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Nikon S3500

 TG-2 iHS S3500 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution610k230kCrisper screen (+380k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S3500 and Olympus TG-2 iHS

 S3500 TG-2 iHS 
LaunchedFebruary 2013June 2013Same age
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon S3500 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S3500 provides exterior dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Olympus TG-2 iHS has dimensions of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S3500 and Olympus TG-2 iHS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the S3500 vs the TG-2 iHS.

Nikon S3500 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S3500 and TG-2 iHS is 95 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S3500 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3500 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3500 and TG-2 iHS.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Nikon S3500 to result in more detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively.

Nikon S3500 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS sensor size comparison

Nikon S3500 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3500 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3500 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S3500 Street photography features
Olympus TG-2 iHS Street photography features
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (129 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3500 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Sports photography camera
42
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery power (350 per charge)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3500 Travel photography factors
Olympus TG-2 iHS Travel photography factors
69
lighter than competition in class (129g)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
68
good battery power (350 shots)
weather sealing
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3500 Landscape photography information
Olympus TG-2 iHS Landscape photography information
40
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
46
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
good battery power (350 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3500 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Vlogging camera
31
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (129 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
36
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone jack
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Nikon S3500 vs Olympus TG-2 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3500 and Olympus TG-2 iHS
 Nikon Coolpix S3500Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Coolpix S3500 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2013-02-21 2013-06-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5152 x 3864 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-182mm (7.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.4 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 610 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT-LCD OLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lbs) 230 gr (0.51 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 350 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - Li-90B
Self timer - Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter)
Time lapse feature
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $85 $380