Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic TS5

Here is a in-depth overview of the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic TS5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-11 (14MP) and the TS5 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-11 was introduced 23 months before the TS5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SZ-11 grades against the TS5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-11 Gallery and Panasonic TS5 Gallery.

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-11 offers physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic TS5 has measurements of 110mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic TS5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-11 against the TS5.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-11 and TS5 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Generally, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-11 and TS5.

Clearly, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic TS5 to result in more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older SZ-11 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.