Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic S2
91 Imaging
40 Features
42 Overall
40


96 Imaging
37 Features
29 Overall
33
Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs
(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
- 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
- Announced February 2015
- Successor is Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
- 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
- Introduced January 2012

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic S2 Overview
On this page, we are looking at the Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic S2, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-860 (16MP) and the S2 (14MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The TG-860 was brought out 3 years after the S2 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.
Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the TG-860 scores vs the S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic S2 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus TG-860 Gallery and Panasonic S2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Panasonic S2
TG-860 | S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2015 | ![]() | January 2012 | More modern by 38 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Olympus TG-860
S2 | TG-860 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic S2
TG-860 | S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly display |
Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-860 offers exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Panasonic S2 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).
Compare the Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic S2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the TG-860 and the S2.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-860 and S2 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes just by checking a spec sheet. The image here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-860 and S2.
Clearly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Olympus TG-860 to give you greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The younger TG-860 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 |
Category | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2015-02-06 | 2012-01-09 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VII | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 21-105mm (5.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.7 | f/3.1-6.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 8s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) | 3.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Yes | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 224 grams (0.49 lbs) | 112 grams (0.25 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") | 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") |
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 | 300 photos | 280 photos |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | Li-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $279 | $109 |