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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500 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
  • Launched March 2014
  • Replacement is Olympus TG-4
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Older Model is Sony WX350
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500 Overview

Here is a thorough overview of the Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The TG-3 was brought out 12 months earlier than the WX500 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short summary of how the TG-3 grades versus the WX500 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Sony WX500

 TG-3 WX500 

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Olympus TG-3

 WX500 TG-3 
RevealedApril 2015March 2014Fresher by 12 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Sony WX500

 TG-3 WX500 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus TG-3 has external dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") having a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony WX500 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the TG-3 vs the WX500.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the TG-3 and WX500 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The visual here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-3 and WX500.

As you have seen, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Sony WX500 to provide you with greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The older TG-3 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Portrait photography camera
37
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
39
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography information
Sony WX500 Street photography information
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competition (247 grams)
70
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (236g)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography advice
Sony WX500 Sports photography advice
47
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery pack (330 CIPA)
max fps low (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
57
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery (360 shots)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-3
Travel photography with Sony WX500
74
great battery pack (330 CIPA)
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competition (247 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
71
better than average battery (360 per charge)
lighter than average (236g)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX500 Landscape photography highlights
56
rather wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
great battery pack (330 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
49
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
better than average battery (360 CIPA)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Vlogging factors
Sony WX500 Vlogging factors
34
rather wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (247g)
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (236g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone support
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Sony WX500
 Olympus Tough TG-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-03-31 2015-04-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII 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 16MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247 gr (0.54 lbs) 236 gr (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots 360 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $350 $348