Canon 550D vs Olympus TG-4
The Canon EOS 550D (called Canon T2i in some regions) and the Olympus Tough TG-4 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2010 and April 2015. The 550D is a DSLR, while the TG-4 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (550D) and a 1/2.3-inch (TG-4) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 15.9 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 550D and the Olympus Tough TG-4? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 550D and the Olympus TG-4 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The TG-4 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the 550D is only available in black.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus TG-4 is considerably smaller (42 percent) than the Canon 550D. It is noteworthy in this context that the TG-4 is splash and dust-proof, while the 550D does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing. More than that, the TG-4 is water-proof up to 15m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the TG-4 has a lens built in, whereas the 550D is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the 550D and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.
Concerning battery life, the 550D gets 440 shots out of its Canon LP-E8 battery, while the TG-4 can take 380 images on a single charge of its Olympus LI-92B power pack. The power pack in the TG-4 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 550D | 129 mm | 98 mm | 62 mm | 530 g | 440 | n | Feb 2010 | 699 | ebay.com | |
2. | Olympus TG-4 | 112 mm | 66 mm | 31 mm | 247 g | 380 | Y | Apr 2015 | 379 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 500D | 129 mm | 98 mm | 62 mm | 520 g | 400 | n | Mar 2009 | 799 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon 600D | 133 mm | 100 mm | 80 mm | 570 g | 440 | n | Feb 2011 | 599 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 650D | 133 mm | 100 mm | 79 mm | 575 g | 440 | n | Jun 2012 | 849 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon 700D | 133 mm | 100 mm | 79 mm | 580 g | 440 | n | Mar 2013 | 649 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon 750D | 132 mm | 101 mm | 78 mm | 555 g | 440 | n | Feb 2015 | 749 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon 760D | 132 mm | 101 mm | 78 mm | 565 g | 440 | n | Feb 2015 | 649 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon 1100D | 130 mm | 100 mm | 78 mm | 495 g | 700 | n | Feb 2011 | 449 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon 1200D | 130 mm | 100 mm | 78 mm | 480 g | 500 | n | Feb 2014 | 449 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon 4000D | 129 mm | 102 mm | 77 mm | 436 g | 500 | n | Feb 2018 | 399 | amazon.com | |
12. | Fujifilm XP130 | 110 mm | 71 mm | 28 mm | 207 g | 240 | Y | Jan 2018 | 229 | ebay.com | |
13. | Fujifilm XP140 | 110 mm | 71 mm | 28 mm | 207 g | 240 | Y | Feb 2019 | 229 | ebay.com | |
14. | Nikon D5100 | 128 mm | 97 mm | 79 mm | 560 g | 660 | n | Apr 2011 | 749 | ebay.com | |
15. | Nikon W300 | 112 mm | 66 mm | 29 mm | 231 g | 280 | Y | May 2017 | 389 | ebay.com | |
16. | Olympus TG-5 | 113 mm | 66 mm | 32 mm | 250 g | 340 | Y | May 2017 | 449 | ebay.com | |
17. | Olympus TG-6 | 113 mm | 66 mm | 32 mm | 253 g | 340 | Y | May 2019 | 449 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The TG-4 was launched at a lower price than the 550D, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparison
The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 550D features an APS-C sensor and the Olympus TG-4 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the TG-4 is 92 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 5.6. The sensor in the 550D has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the TG-4 offers a 4:3 aspect.
With 17.9MP, the 550D offers a higher resolution than the TG-4 (15.9MP), but the 550D nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 1.33μm for the TG-4) due to its larger sensor. However, the TG-4 is a much more recent model (by 5 years and 2 months) than the 550D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.
The resolution advantage of the Canon 550D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 550D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus TG-4 are 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Canon EOS 550D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus Tough TG-4 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (no boost).
In terms of underlying technology, the 550D is build around a CMOS sensor, while the TG-4 uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 550D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 22.1 | 11.5 | 784 | 66 | |
2. | Olympus TG-4 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 737 | 47 | |
3. | Canon 500D | APS-C | 15.1 | 4752 | 3168 | 1080/20p | 21.7 | 11.5 | 663 | 63 | |
4. | Canon 600D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 22.1 | 11.5 | 793 | 65 | |
5. | Canon 650D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 21.7 | 11.2 | 722 | 62 | |
6. | Canon 700D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 21.7 | 11.2 | 681 | 61 | |
7. | Canon 750D | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/30p | 22.7 | 12.0 | 919 | 71 | |
8. | Canon 760D | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/30p | 22.6 | 12.0 | 915 | 70 | |
9. | Canon 1100D | APS-C | 12.2 | 4272 | 2848 | 720/30p | 21.9 | 11.0 | 755 | 62 | |
10. | Canon 1200D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 21.9 | 11.3 | 724 | 63 | |
11. | Canon 4000D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 21.9 | 11.4 | 695 | 63 | |
12. | Fujifilm XP130 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/60p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1000 | 51 | |
13. | Fujifilm XP140 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 4K/15p | 20.7 | 12.2 | 1102 | 52 | |
14. | Nikon D5100 | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.5 | 13.6 | 1183 | 80 | |
15. | Nikon W300 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 4K/30p | 20.5 | 12.0 | 938 | 50 | |
16. | Olympus TG-5 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 4K/30p | 20.5 | 11.9 | 934 | 50 | |
17. | Olympus TG-6 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 4K/30p | 20.7 | 12.2 | 1127 | 52 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/30p).
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the 550D has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the TG-4 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 550D and Olympus TG-4 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 550D | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.7/s | Y | n | |
2. | Olympus TG-4 | none | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
3. | Canon 500D | optical | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.4/s | Y | n | |
4. | Canon 600D | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 3.7/s | Y | n | |
5. | Canon 650D | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
6. | Canon 700D | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
7. | Canon 750D | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
8. | Canon 760D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
9. | Canon 1100D | optical | n | 2.7 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
10. | Canon 1200D | optical | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
11. | Canon 4000D | optical | n | 2.7 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
12. | Fujifilm XP130 | none | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
13. | Fujifilm XP140 | none | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
14. | Nikon D5100 | optical | n | 3.0 / 921 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 4.0/s | Y | n | |
15. | Nikon W300 | none | n | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 7.0/s | Y | Y | |
16. | Olympus TG-5 | none | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 20.0/s | Y | Y | |
17. | Olympus TG-6 | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 20.0/s | Y | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
The Olympus TG-4 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 550D and the TG-4 write their files to SDXC cards. The TG-4 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the 550D cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 550D and Olympus Tough TG-4 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 550D | Y | stereo / - | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
2. | Olympus TG-4 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
3. | Canon 500D | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
4. | Canon 600D | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
5. | Canon 650D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
6. | Canon 700D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
7. | Canon 750D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
8. | Canon 760D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
9. | Canon 1100D | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
10. | Canon 1200D | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
11. | Canon 4000D | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
12. | Fujifilm XP130 | - | mono / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
13. | Fujifilm XP140 | - | mono / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
14. | Nikon D5100 | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
15. | Nikon W300 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
16. | Olympus TG-5 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
17. | Olympus TG-6 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - |
It is notable that the 550D has a hotshoe, while the TG-4 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.
Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the TG-4 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.
Both the 550D and the TG-4 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 550D was replaced by the Canon 600D, while the TG-4 was followed by the Olympus TG-5. Further information on the features and operation of the 550D and TG-4 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 550D Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus TG-4 Manual.
Review summary
So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 550D or the Olympus TG-4 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.
Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 550D:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (17.9 vs 15.9MP) with a 8% higher linear resolution.
- Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
- Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
- More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
- Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
- Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 460k dots).
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
- More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (440 versus 380) on a single battery charge.
- Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2010).
Advantages of the Olympus Tough TG-4:
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 3.7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
- Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the 550D requires a separate lens.
- More compact: Is smaller (112x66mm vs 129x98mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the 550D).
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
- Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
- Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 15m).
- Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
- More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
- More modern: Reflects 5 years and 2 months of technical progress since the 550D launch.
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the TG-4 comes out slightly ahead of the 550D (14 : 13 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 550D and the Olympus TG-4 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 550D and the TG-4 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.
Expert reviews
This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon 550D | .. | + + | .. | 77/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2010 | 699 | ebay.com | |
2. | Olympus TG-4 | .. | + | .. | 79/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2015 | 379 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 500D | .. | + + | .. | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2009 | 799 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon 600D | 3/5 | o | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2011 | 599 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 650D | 4/5 | + + | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2012 | 849 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon 700D | .. | .. | .. | 76/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2013 | 649 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon 750D | 5/5 | .. | .. | 75/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2015 | 749 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon 760D | 5/5 | + | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2015 | 649 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon 1100D | .. | 80/100 | .. | 69/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2011 | 449 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon 1200D | 3/5 | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2014 | 449 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon 4000D | 2.5/5 | o | 3/5 | .. | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | Feb 2018 | 399 | amazon.com | |
12. | Fujifilm XP130 | .. | o | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2018 | 229 | ebay.com | |
13. | Fujifilm XP140 | .. | + | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2019 | 229 | ebay.com | |
14. | Nikon D5100 | 5/5 | + + | .. | 76/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Apr 2011 | 749 | ebay.com | |
15. | Nikon W300 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | May 2017 | 389 | ebay.com | |
16. | Olympus TG-5 | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | May 2017 | 449 | ebay.com | |
17. | Olympus TG-6 | 4/5 | + + | 4.5/5 | 76/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | May 2019 | 449 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
- Canon 1D Mark III vs Olympus TG-4
- Canon 550D vs Fujifilm GFX 50S
- Canon 550D vs Fujifilm X-S10
- Canon 550D vs Leica Q Typ 116
- Canon 550D vs Nikon D5200
- Canon 550D vs Samsung NX500
- Canon 550D vs Sony NEX-7
- Canon 60D vs Olympus TG-4
- Canon S120 vs Olympus TG-4
- Nikon W150 vs Olympus TG-4
- Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A6600
- Olympus TG-4 vs Sony HX350
Specifications: Canon 550D vs Olympus TG-4
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Canon 550D | Olympus TG-4 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | Fixed lens compact camera |
Camera Lens | Canon EF mount lenses | 25-100mm f/2.0-4.9 |
Launch Date | February 2010 | April 2015 |
Launch Price | USD 699 | USD 379 |
Sensor Specs | Canon 550D | Olympus TG-4 |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | 1/2.3" Sensor |
Sensor Size | 22.3 x 14.9 mm | 6.17 x 4.55 mm |
Sensor Area | 332.27 mm2 | 28.0735 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 26.8 mm | 7.7 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.6x | 5.6x |
Sensor Resolution | 17.9 Megapixels | 15.9 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 5184 x 3456 pixels | 4608 x 3456 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 4.31 μm | 1.33 μm |
Pixel Density | 5.39 MP/cm2 | 56.73 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | Anti-Alias filter |
Movie Capability | 1080/30p Video | 1080/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 6,400 ISO | 100 - 6,400 ISO |
ISO Boost | 100 - 12,800 ISO | no Enhancement |
Image Processor | DIGIC 4 | TruePic VII |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 66 | .. |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 22.1 | .. |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 11.5 | .. |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 784 | .. |
Screen Specs | Canon 550D | Olympus TG-4 |
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | no viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 95% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.54x | |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 1040k dots | 460k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fixed screen |
Shooting Specs | Canon 550D | Olympus TG-4 |
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | Contrast-detect AF |
Continuous Shooting | 3.7 shutter flaps/s | 5 shutter flaps/s |
Time-Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | Intervalometer built-in |
Image Stabilization | Lens stabilization only | In-body stabilization |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Single card slot |
UHS card support | no | UHS-I |
Connectivity Specs | Canon 550D | Olympus TG-4 |
External Flash | Hotshoe | no Hotshoe |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | micro HDMI |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | no MIC socket |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | Wifi built-in |
Geotagging | no internal GPS | GPS built-in |
Body Specs | Canon 550D | Olympus TG-4 |
Environmental Sealing | not weather sealed | Waterproof body (15m) |
Battery Type | Canon LP-E8 | Olympus LI-92B |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 440 shots per charge | 380 shots per charge |
In-Camera Charging | no USB charging | USB charging |
Body Dimensions |
129 x 98 x 62 mm (5.1 x 3.9 x 2.4 in) |
112 x 66 x 31 mm (4.4 x 2.6 x 1.2 in) |
Camera Weight | 530 g (18.7 oz) | 247 g (8.7 oz) |
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