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Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Olympus TG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Released March 2014
  • Updated by Olympus TG-4
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
  • Alternative Name is WB550
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Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Samsung. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The TG-3 was unveiled 5 years after the HZ15W which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the TG-3 grades versus the HZ15W in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Samsung HZ15W

 TG-3 HZ15W 
ReleasedMarch 2014February 2009More modern by 63 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Olympus TG-3

 HZ15W TG-3 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Samsung HZ15W

 TG-3 HZ15W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-3 enjoys outside dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has sizing of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the TG-3 versus the HZ15W.

Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and HZ15W is 90 and 90 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through specs. The image below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-3 and HZ15W.

All in all, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus TG-3 to show greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger TG-3 should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography features
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography features
37
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
32
you can focus manually
includes face detect autofocus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Street photography camera
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than average in class (247g)
53
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than average (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography info
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography info
47
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (330 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-3
Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
74
better than average battery life (330 per charge)
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than average in class (247g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
54
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (249 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
56
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
better than average battery life (330 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
41
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-3
Vlogging with Samsung HZ15W
34
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing microphone port
more heavy than average in class (247 grams)
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
more heavy than average (249g)
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Olympus TG-3 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Samsung HZ15W
 Olympus Tough TG-3Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Company Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus Tough TG-3 Samsung HZ15W
Otherwise known as - WB550
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-03-31 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 247g (0.54 pounds) 249g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 330 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $350 $330