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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Samsung TL500

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
 
Samsung TL500 front
Portability
88
Imaging
34
Features
54
Overall
42

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Samsung TL500 Key Specs

Olympus TG-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 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
  • 230g - 111 x 67 x 29mm
  • Announced June 2013
Samsung TL500
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 24-72mm (F1.8-2.4) lens
  • 386g - 114 x 63 x 29mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Additionally referred to as EX1
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Samsung TL500 Overview

The following is a thorough overview of the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Samsung TL500, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the TG-2 iHS (12MP) and the TL500 (10MP) is very close but the TG-2 iHS (1/2.3") and TL500 (1/1.7") enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-2 iHS was brought out 3 years after the TL500 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the TG-2 iHS grades against the TL500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Samsung TL500

 TG-2 iHS TL500 
ReleasedJune 2013July 2010Newer by 37 months

Reasons to pick Samsung TL500 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS

 TL500 TG-2 iHS 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution614k610kClearer display (+4k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Samsung TL500

 TG-2 iHS TL500 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Samsung TL500 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-2 iHS offers outside dimensions of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Samsung TL500 has dimensions of 114mm x 63mm x 29mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 386 grams (0.85 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Samsung TL500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the TG-2 iHS and the TL500.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Samsung TL500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-2 iHS and TL500 is 91 and 88 respectively.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Samsung TL500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Samsung TL500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specs. The pic below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-2 iHS and TL500.

All in all, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The TG-2 iHS because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Olympus TG-2 iHS will render more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent TG-2 iHS is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Samsung TL500 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Samsung TL500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Samsung TL500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Portrait photography info
Samsung TL500 Portrait photography info
27
offers face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
40
you can focus manually
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Street photography camera
Samsung TL500 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
66
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
sensor is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competitors (386g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Sports photography highlights
Samsung TL500 Sports photography highlights
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery pack (350 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
29
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-2 iHS
Travel photography with Samsung TL500
68
good battery pack (350 per charge)
environment proofing
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
64
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (386g)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung TL500 as a Landscape photography camera
46
relatively wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse function
52
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Samsung TL500 as a Vlogging camera
36
relatively wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone port
64
fairly wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
more heavy than competitors (386 grams)
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Samsung TL500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-2 iHS and Samsung TL500
 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHSSamsung TL500
General Information
Company Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS Samsung TL500
Otherwise known as - EX1
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-06-28 2010-07-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-72mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/1.8-2.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 610k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.20 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow syncro, Manual
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 1920 x 1080 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 grams (0.51 lbs) 386 grams (0.85 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") 114 x 63 x 29mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 40
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 19.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 129
Other
Battery life 350 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID Li-90B SLB-07A
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - SD/SDHC, internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $380 $527