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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX500

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX500 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
  • Released June 2013
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Superseded the Sony WX350
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX500 Overview

Here is a detailed analysis of the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony WX500, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the TG-2 iHS (12MP) and WX500 (18MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The TG-2 iHS was launched 21 months prior to the WX500 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the TG-2 iHS matches up against the WX500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Sony WX500

 TG-2 iHS WX500 

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS

 WX500 TG-2 iHS 
RevealedApril 2015June 2013Fresher by 21 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k610kCrisper screen (+311k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony WX500

 TG-2 iHS WX500 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-2 iHS has exterior dimensions of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Sony WX500 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony WX500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the TG-2 iHS vs the WX500.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the TG-2 iHS and WX500 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-2 iHS and WX500.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Sony WX500 to give extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The older TG-2 iHS is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Portrait photography factors
Sony WX500 Portrait photography factors
27
features face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
39
resolution is good (18MP)
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Street photography highlights
Sony WX500 Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
70
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (236g)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery power (350 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
supports tracking focus
good battery power (360 per charge)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Travel photography factors
Sony WX500 Travel photography factors
68
great battery power (350 shots)
weather sealing
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
71
good battery power (360 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (236g)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Landscape photography factors
Sony WX500 Landscape photography factors
46
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
great battery power (350 CIPA)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse mode
49
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
good battery power (360 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Vlogging factors
Sony WX500 Vlogging factors
36
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no external microphone jack
35
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (236 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony WX500
 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-06-28 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 610 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 grams (0.51 pounds) 236 grams (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 360 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-90B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $380 $348