• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 72.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Samsung TL500 advantages over Sony A33

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner

Sony A33 advantages over Samsung TL500

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 2.08 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Better color depth
    22.8 vs 19.2 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    591 vs 129 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.6 vs 11.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 16 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3100

Samsung TL500
Nikon D3100
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A33
Nikon D3100
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A55

Samsung TL500
Sony A55
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A33
Sony A55
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS

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
Sony A33
Olympus XZ-1
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter

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
Sony A33
Olympus XZ-2
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

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
Sony A33
Canon N100
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Compare Other Cameras?