Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A500
90 Imaging
40 Features
46 Overall
42
63 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
52
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 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
- 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
- Revealed March 2014
- Refreshed by Olympus TG-4
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Announced August 2009
- Renewed by Sony A560
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A500 Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony A500, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and A500 (12MP) and the TG-3 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe TG-3 was introduced 4 years after the A500 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the TG-3 grades vs the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A500 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Tough TG-3 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus TG-3 Gallery and Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Sony A500
TG-3 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2014 | August 2009 | Newer by 56 months | |
Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Olympus TG-3
A500 | TG-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | Dial accurate focus | |||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Sony A500
TG-3 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen measurement | |
Selfie screen | Lack of selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly screen | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to travel with your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus TG-3 has physical measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Examine the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony A500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the TG-3 against the A500.
Using size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-3 and A500 is 90 and 63 respectively.
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The pic below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-3 and A500.
All in all, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The TG-3 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Olympus TG-3 will offer you extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The younger TG-3 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus TG-3 vs Sony A500 Specifications
Olympus Tough TG-3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus Tough TG-3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Class | Waterproof | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2014-03-31 | 2009-08-27 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VII | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4272 x 2848 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | - |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | TFT-LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | - |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 247g (0.54 lbs) | 630g (1.39 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 64 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 pictures | 520 pictures |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LI-92B | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $350 | $638 |