• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 125.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FX500 advantages over Olympus TG-3

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.68 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    125 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 31 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    176g vs 247g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus TG-3 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FX500

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 280 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    10 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD880 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Canon SD880 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX500 vs Canon SD880 IS

Olympus TG-3
Canon SD880 IS
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Canon SD880 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX500 vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Olympus TG-3
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Canon SD980 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX500 vs Canon SD980 IS

Olympus TG-3
Canon SD980 IS
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Canon SD980 IS

Compared to Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX500 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Olympus TG-3
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Olympus TG-4
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX500 vs Olympus TG-4

Olympus TG-3
Olympus TG-4
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus

Compare Olympus TG-3 vs Olympus TG-4

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