• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus Tough TG-3
  • Samsung NX500
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Olympus TG-2
TG-2 vs TG-3
Samsung NX300
NX300 vs NX500
Successor: Olympus TG-4
TG-3 vs TG-4
 
General
Model Number: TG-3 NX500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $349.99 $799.99
Street Price: $349.00 $1,599.99
Date Available: 2014-06-15 2015-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 8.7 oz (247 g)
includes batteries
16.0 oz (454 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.4 x 2.6 x 1.2 in.
(112 x 66 x 31 mm)
4.7 x 2.5 x 1.7 in.
(120 x 64 x 43 mm)
Waterproof: Yes No
Waterproof Depth:   n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: BSI CMOS Samsung
Effective Megapixels: 16.0 28.2
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.34 microns 3.63 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   None
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score:   87
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   24.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   13.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   1,379
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3) 6480 x 4320 (28.0 MP, 3:2),
4560 x 3040 (13.9 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 1408 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
6480 x 3648 (23.6 MP, 16:9),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3328 x 1872 (6.2 MP, 16:9),
2048 x 1152 (2.4 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 4320 (18.7 MP, 1:1),
3088 x 3088 (9.5 MP, 1:1),
2160 x 2160 (4.7 MP, 1:1),
1408 x 1408 (2.0 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG, MPO, RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.0 8.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
640x480 (120p)
432x324 (240p)
4096x2160 (24p)
3840x2160 (30p)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (60p/​30p)
1920x1080 (120p)
1280x720 (120p)
640x480 (120p)
Movie File Format: MOV/H.264 with stereo sound, AVI/Motion JPEG (High-Speed Movie, Time-Lapse Movie) MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Samsung NX
Lens: Olympus Lens, 9 lenses in 7 groups, with dual aspheric elements and 2 ED elements Samsung 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Power Zoom ED OIS NX
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 25 - 100mm 24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 4.5 - 18mm 16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.00x 3.13x
Aperture Range: f/2.0/2.8/8.0 (wide) / f/4.9/6.3/18 (tele); 2-step aperture + ND filter f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 10 cm to Infinity
3.9 in to Infinity
24 cm to Infinity
9.4 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
 
Filter Thread: 40.5mm 43.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x (2x Super Resolution Zoom)
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection: Face Detect AF, iESP, Spot AF, AF Tracking Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF: 205-point PDAF (153 cross-point type) + 209-point CDAF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: No / LCD No / OLED
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,800 dots (153,600 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x  
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, High, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 Auto, 100 - 25600 in 1 or 1/3 EV steps, expandable to 51200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent1, Underwater, One-touch Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Auto+Tungsten, Flash, Custom, K (Manual); Micro Adjustment each 7 steps in Amber/Blue and Green/Magenta axes
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 4 sec 1/6000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Digital ESP Metering, Spot Metering Multi (221 segments), Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: No Yes
Full Manual Exposure: No Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene Modes: Portrait, ePortrait, Landscape, Interval Shooting, Hand-held Starlight, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Sport, Indoor, Self Portrait, Sunset, Fireworks, Cuisine, Documents, Beach & Snow, Under Water Snapshot, Under Water Wide1, Under Water Wide2, Under Water Macro, Snow, Panorama, Backlight HDR; Art Filters: Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic Tone, Fish Eye, Sparkle, Reflection, Fragmented; Microscope Modes: Microscope, Focus Stacking, Focus Bracketing, Microscope Control; Photo Story Beauty Face, Landscape, Action Freeze, Rich Tones, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Fireworks, Light Trace, Multi-Exposure; Smart Range+, HDR, Samsung Auto Shot (SAS)
Self Timer: 2, 12, custom seconds 2-30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-In, Off, LED Smart Flash, Auto, Auto+Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in+Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 8.0 m / 26.2 ft.
Flash Range Description: ISO 1600: W: 0.2m - 7.9m; T: 0.1m - 3.1m Bundled SEF8A flash has GN 8m at ISO 100
Max Flash Sync:   1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV/H.264 with stereo sound, AVI/Motion JPEG (High-Speed Movie, Time-Lapse Movie) MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC)
Included Memory: 36.0 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: Yes No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No No
DPOF Compliant: No No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Via Wi-Fi Via Wi-Fi live view or Bluetooth; optional wired USB cable release
Connections (extended): Multi-terminal (USB Connector, DC Jack, Audio/Video Output), Micro HDMI (Type D) Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) with NFC; Bluetooth; Mult-function USB port compatible with wired remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   0.83
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.81
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.0 8.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 38
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   8.5
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   8.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   6
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):   0.20 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.097 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.36 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.076 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:   1.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   3.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 380 shots 370 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary LI-92B Proprietary BP-1130
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 1130mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary LI-92B Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-1130 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes Yes
Software
Included Software: CD-ROM with Instruction Manual and Olympus Viewer 3 Software Samsung Raw Converter, i-Launcher (web version), Power Media Player, Samsung Movie Converter and Samsung DNG Converter
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Waterproof (50 ft/15m), Crushproof (220lbf/100 kgf), Shockproof (7 ft/2.1m), Freezeproof (Down to 14F / -10C), Dustproof, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, focus stacking. Available in red or black. Available in black, brown and white.