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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ7 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
  • Revealed January 2014
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Panasonic SZ7, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The TG-850 iHS was announced 2 years later than the SZ7 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple overview of how the TG-850 iHS matches up vs the SZ7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Panasonic SZ7

 TG-850 iHS SZ7 
LaunchedJanuary 2014January 2012Fresher by 26 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 SZ7 TG-850 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic SZ7

 TG-850 iHS SZ7 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus TG-850 iHS provides physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ7 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Panasonic SZ7 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the TG-850 iHS vs the SZ7.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-850 iHS and SZ7 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking specs. The visual below might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-850 iHS and SZ7.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Olympus TG-850 iHS to give you extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger TG-850 iHS provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography features
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Street photography details
Panasonic SZ7 Street photography details
69
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (133 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ7
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery power (330 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ7
72
better than average battery power (330 CIPA)
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (21mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
70
lighter than others in class (133g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Landscape photography camera
49
really wide (21mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
environment sealing
better than average battery power (330 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
42
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging highlights
33
really wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic port
35
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (133 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone support
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic SZ7
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-01-29 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4616 x 3464 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1/2 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.60 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218 grams (0.48 lbs) 133 grams (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 220 shots
Battery style 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
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $250 $199