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Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus TG-630 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Olympus TG-630 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 66 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Announced July 2012
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Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-630 iHS (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The TG-630 iHS was brought out 6 months later than the SZ5 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the TG-630 iHS grades against the SZ5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-630 iHS over the Panasonic SZ5

 TG-630 iHS SZ5 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Olympus TG-630 iHS

 SZ5 TG-630 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-630 iHS and Panasonic SZ5

 TG-630 iHS SZ5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013July 2012Same age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-630 iHS enjoys physical measurements of 98mm x 66mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ5 has proportions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check the Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the TG-630 iHS and the SZ5.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the TG-630 iHS and SZ5 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by viewing specs. The photograph here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-630 iHS and SZ5.

As you can plainly see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic SZ5 to render more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
27
provides face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
34
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography advice
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography features
34
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography highlights
59
environment sealing
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery (220 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
70
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography info
39
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery (220 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
33
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic socket
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (136g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-630 iHS and Panasonic SZ5
 Olympus TG-630 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus TG-630 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-01-08 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.9-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 gr (0.37 pounds) 136 gr (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 66 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.9") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 220 photos 250 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $200 $195