Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Samsung ST6500

Lets look a bit more closely at the Olympus TG-1 iHS versus Samsung ST6500, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Samsung. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the TG-1 iHS (12MP) and ST6500 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The TG-1 iHS was announced 16 months after the ST6500 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-1 iHS being a Compact camera and the Samsung ST6500 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the TG-1 iHS grades versus the ST6500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS and Samsung ST6500. The whole galleries are available at Olympus TG-1 iHS Gallery and Samsung ST6500 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-1 iHS features outer measurements of 112mm x 67mm x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Samsung ST6500 has dimensions of 102mm x 57mm x 19mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus TG-1 iHS versus Samsung ST6500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the TG-1 iHS vs the ST6500.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-1 iHS and ST6500 is 91 and 99 respectively.

Sometimes, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specs. The image below may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-1 iHS and ST6500.

All in all, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Samsung ST6500 to offer you more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern TG-1 iHS should have a benefit in sensor tech.