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Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4

Portability
70
Imaging
42
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-4 front
Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Bump to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Introduced October 2005
  • Additionally referred to as EVOLT E-500
  • Updated by Olympus E-510
Olympus TG-4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Old Model is Olympus TG-3
  • Renewed by Olympus TG-5
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Waterproof and both of them are built by Olympus. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and TG-4 (16MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and TG-4 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-500 was brought out 10 years before the TG-4 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus TG-4 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-500 scores vs the TG-4 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Olympus TG-4

 E-500 TG-4 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-4 over the Olympus E-500

 TG-4 E-500 
IntroducedApril 2015October 2005More modern by 115 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k215kCrisper display (+245k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Olympus TG-4

 E-500 TG-4 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-500 features exterior measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) while the Olympus TG-4 has specifications of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") along with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the E-500 and the TG-4.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-500 and TG-4 is 70 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking specs. The pic below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-500 and TG-4.

All in all, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-500 featuring a larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Olympus TG-4 will give more detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged E-500 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-500 Portrait photography advice
Olympus TG-4 Portrait photography advice
49
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
resolution not great (8MP)
47
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography factors
Olympus TG-4 Street photography factors
57
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (479 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
max ISO too low (400)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than others in class (247 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-500
Sports photography with Olympus TG-4
37
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography factors
Olympus TG-4 Travel photography factors
52
lighter than competition in class (479g)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
74
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
weather proofing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than others in class (247g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-500
Landscape photography with Olympus TG-4
43
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
max ISO too low (400)
lack of Timelapse recording
62
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
great battery pack (380 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 Vlogging factors
Olympus TG-4 Vlogging factors
9
can't record video
34
decently wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
heavier than others in class (247 grams)
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Olympus E-500 vs Olympus TG-4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Olympus TG-4
 Olympus E-500Olympus Tough TG-4
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-500 Olympus Tough TG-4
Also called as EVOLT E-500 -
Type Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Introduced 2005-10-21 2015-04-13
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VII
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3264 x 2448 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 400 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 1600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range - 1cm
Total lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 215k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.90 m (at ISO 1600)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 479 grams (1.06 lb) 247 grams (0.54 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 380 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $600 $379