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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
26
Overall
31
Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Olympus Tough-3000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.5-5.1) lens
  • 159g - 96 x 65 x 23mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Alternative Name is mju Tough 3000
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Additionally Known as WB550
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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus Tough-3000 versus Samsung HZ15W, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the Tough-3000 (12MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is pretty similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The Tough-3000 was released 11 months later than the HZ15W and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the Tough-3000 matches up versus the HZ15W in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus Tough-3000 over the Samsung HZ15W

 Tough-3000 HZ15W 
ReleasedJanuary 2010February 2009More recent by 11 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Olympus Tough-3000

 HZ15W Tough-3000 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus Tough-3000 and Samsung HZ15W

 Tough-3000 HZ15W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus Tough-3000 comes with external measurements of 96mm x 65mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has dimensions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus Tough-3000 versus Samsung HZ15W in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the Tough-3000 compared to the HZ15W.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Tough-3000 and HZ15W is 94 and 90 respectively.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements just by going over specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the Tough-3000 and HZ15W.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP and you can expect similar quality of images though you really should take the launch date of the products into consideration. The younger Tough-3000 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Portrait photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography advice
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
32
you can focus manually
includes face detect focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Street photography details
Samsung HZ15W Street photography details
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
53
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus Tough-3000
Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
36
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus Tough-3000
Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
61
weather sealing
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
54
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (249 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
35
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
41
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus Tough-3000
Vlogging with Samsung HZ15W
28
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone support
29
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (249g)
Photography Glossary

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus Tough-3000 and Samsung HZ15W
 Olympus Stylus Tough-3000Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 Samsung HZ15W
Also called as mju Tough 3000 WB550
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-01-07 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.1 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 16 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 4.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lb) 249 gr (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 65 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $0 $330