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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic LZ40

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic LZ40 Key Specs

Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2014
Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Replaced the Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic LZ40 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Panasonic LZ40, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the LZ40 (20MP) is relatively close and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The TG-850 iHS was launched very close to the LZ40 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the TG-850 iHS grades against the LZ40 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Panasonic LZ40

 TG-850 iHS LZ40 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 LZ40 TG-850 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic LZ40

 TG-850 iHS LZ40 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2014Same age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic LZ40 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-850 iHS enjoys outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ40 has proportions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs).

Check the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Panasonic LZ40 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the TG-850 iHS and the LZ40.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic LZ40 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-850 iHS and LZ40 is 91 and 67 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic LZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic LZ40 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by researching a spec sheet. The visual here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-850 iHS and LZ40.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic LZ40 to result in greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic LZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ40
35
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
40
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Street photography features
Panasonic LZ40 Street photography features
69
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
45
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (524 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Sports photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery power (330 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Travel photography details
Panasonic LZ40 Travel photography details
72
great battery power (330 per charge)
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (21mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
55
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (22mm)
great reach (924mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (524 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography information
Panasonic LZ40 Landscape photography information
50
fairly wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
great battery power (330 per charge)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
44
relatively wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic LZ40
33
fairly wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone support
27
relatively wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
includes external microphone support
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
more heavy than competition in class (524g)
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic LZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic LZ40
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-01-29 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4616 x 3464 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 22-924mm (42.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 1/2 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 10.80 m
Flash settings - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Yes None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218 gr (0.48 pounds) 524 gr (1.16 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 320 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $250 $219