• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 72.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 22.00mm - 896.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Samsung TL500 advantages over Olympus SP-820UZ

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.08 vs 1.44 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 93 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    315g vs 485g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    16 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus SP-820UZ advantages over Samsung TL500

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    896 mm vs 72 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.0 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung TL500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SP-820UZ

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus XZ-1

Samsung TL500
Olympus XZ-1
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Samsung TL500 vs Olympus XZ-1

Olympus SP-820UZ
Olympus XZ-1
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Olympus XZ-1

Compared to Nikon P500

Samsung TL500
Nikon P500
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Samsung TL500 vs Nikon P500

Olympus SP-820UZ
Nikon P500
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Nikon P500

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Samsung TL500
Olympus XZ-2
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Samsung TL500 vs Olympus XZ-2

Olympus SP-820UZ
Olympus XZ-2
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Olympus XZ-2

Compared to Canon N100

Samsung TL500
Canon N100
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Samsung TL500 vs Canon N100

Olympus SP-820UZ
Canon N100
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Canon N100

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Samsung TL500
Canon SX520 HS
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Newer

Compare Samsung TL500 vs Canon SX520 HS

Olympus SP-820UZ
Canon SX520 HS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure

Compare Olympus SP-820UZ vs Canon SX520 HS

Compare Other Cameras?