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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony WX500

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony WX500 Key Specs

Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Introduced May 2017
  • Superseded the Olympus TG-4
  • Successor is Olympus TG-6
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
  • Launched April 2015
  • Older Model is Sony WX350
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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony WX500 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Olympus TG-5 versus Sony WX500, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the TG-5 (12MP) and WX500 (18MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-5 was introduced 2 years later than the WX500 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the TG-5 matches up against the WX500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Sony WX500

 TG-5 WX500 
LaunchedMay 2017April 2015Fresher by 26 months
Focus manually More accurate focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Olympus TG-5

 WX500 TG-5 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-5 and Sony WX500

 TG-5 WX500 
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus TG-5 features outside dimensions of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony WX500 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-5 versus Sony WX500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the TG-5 versus the WX500.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the TG-5 and WX500 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing only by going over specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-5 and WX500.

All in all, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony WX500 to offer you more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent TG-5 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-5
Portrait photography with Sony WX500
39
has manual focus
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
39
MP count good (18MP)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-5 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Street photography camera
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (250g)
69
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (236 grams)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Sports photography highlights
Sony WX500 Sports photography highlights
46
high fps (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (340 shots)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery (360 per charge)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Travel photography information
Sony WX500 Travel photography information
68
better than average battery pack (340 CIPA)
weather sealing
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competition (250 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
better than average battery (360 per charge)
lighter than average (236 grams)
MP count good (18MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Landscape photography advice
Sony WX500 Landscape photography advice
57
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (340 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
49
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
better than average battery (360 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Vlogging highlights
Sony WX500 Vlogging highlights
34
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (250g)
35
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (236g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-5 and Sony WX500
 Olympus Tough TG-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Tough TG-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2017-05-17 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch 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
Number of focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type 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
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 20.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250g (0.55 lbs) 236g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 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 340 photos 360 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $449 $348