Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic SZ8
91 Imaging
40 Features
42 Overall
40


94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
- Revealed February 2015
- Successor is Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
- Released January 2014

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic SZ8, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-860 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The TG-860 was introduced 14 months later than the SZ8 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.
Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the TG-860 matches up vs the SZ8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic SZ8 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. The whole galleries are available at Olympus TG-860 Gallery & Panasonic SZ8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Panasonic SZ8
TG-860 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2015 | ![]() | January 2014 | More recent by 14 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus TG-860
SZ8 | TG-860 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic SZ8
TG-860 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-860 features outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the TG-860 against the SZ8.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-860 and SZ8 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The visual underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-860 and SZ8.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of photos but you should factor the age of the cameras into account. The younger TG-860 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 |
Category | Waterproof | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2015-02-06 | 2014-01-06 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VII | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
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 | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
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 | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 21-105mm (5.0x) | 24-288mm (12.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.7 | f/3.1-6.3 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) | 5.20 m |
Flash modes | Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Yes | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 224 gr (0.49 lb) | 159 gr (0.35 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 photographs | 200 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | Li-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $279 | $275 |