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Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Tough TG-4 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Olympus TG-4
(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
  • Launched April 2015
  • Succeeded the Olympus TG-3
  • Later Model is Olympus TG-5
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
  • Launched February 2009
  • Also referred to as WB550
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus TG-4 and Samsung HZ15W, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Samsung. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the TG-4 (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The TG-4 was revealed 6 years after the HZ15W which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the TG-4 matches up against the HZ15W with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-4 over the Samsung HZ15W

 TG-4 HZ15W 
LaunchedApril 2015February 2009Newer by 75 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Olympus TG-4

 HZ15W TG-4 

Common features in the Olympus TG-4 and Samsung HZ15W

 TG-4 HZ15W 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-4 has got outer dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Samsung HZ15W has dimensions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-4 and Samsung HZ15W in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the TG-4 and the HZ15W.

Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-4 and HZ15W is 90 and 90 respectively.

Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions just by viewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-4 and HZ15W.

Clearly, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus TG-4 to provide you with more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The newer TG-4 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Portrait photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography advice
47
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
31
you can focus manually
includes face detect autofocus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Street photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Street photography factors
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (247g)
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than competitors (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-4 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Sports photography camera
48
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Travel photography features
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography features
74
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
weather sealing
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than average in class (247g)
display is not selfie friendly
54
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (249 grams)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-4
Landscape photography with Samsung HZ15W
62
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
40
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-4
Vlogging with Samsung HZ15W
34
quite wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
heavier than average in class (247g)
28
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
heavier than competitors (249 grams)
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Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-4 and Samsung HZ15W
 Olympus Tough TG-4Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus Tough TG-4 Samsung HZ15W
Also called - WB550
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2015-04-13 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 16s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.90 m (at ISO 1600) 4.70 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 data format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 247 grams (0.54 lbs) 249 grams (0.55 lbs)
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 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 380 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $379 $330