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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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 ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic ZS1, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the TG-850 iHS (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") have different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-850 iHS was unveiled 4 years after the ZS1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the TG-850 iHS grades versus the ZS1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Panasonic ZS1

 TG-850 iHS ZS1 
ReleasedJanuary 2014May 2009More modern by 58 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 ZS1 TG-850 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic ZS1

 TG-850 iHS ZS1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-850 iHS has physical dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS1 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic ZS1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the TG-850 iHS vs the ZS1.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-850 iHS and ZS1 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-850 iHS and ZS1.

Clearly, both of those cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The TG-850 iHS having a larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Olympus TG-850 iHS will provide extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The newer TG-850 iHS should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS1
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
25
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS1 Street photography factors
69
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography details
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery (330 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography advice
72
great battery (330 per charge)
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (21mm)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography features
50
rather wide (21mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
environment sealing
great battery (330 per charge)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS1
33
rather wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
missing mic support
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
missing microphone support
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-01-29 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4616 x 3464 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 1/2 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data 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 218g (0.48 lb) 229g (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 photographs -
Style of battery 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 feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $250 $0