Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S1: A Deep Dive for Photographers Ready to Choose

Selecting your next camera is a pivotal decision, especially when you’re comparing two very different beasts like the Olympus TG-820 iHS and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1. On one hand, you have a rugged waterproof compact built for adventure, and on the other, a versatile pro-grade full-frame mirrorless powerhouse designed for demanding creative work. I’ve spent years testing cameras across all genres in real-world conditions, and in this comprehensive comparison, I’ll share firsthand insights and technical analysis to help you decide which is truly right for your photography goals.

Side-by-side view highlights the striking size and build differences.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Starting from the outside in, the Olympus TG-820 iHS is a compact, pocketable camera that measures just 101x65x26mm and weighs 206 grams. It’s designed to go anywhere - waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof - making it a perfect companion for outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize durability and convenience. The compact body incorporates a fixed 28-140mm f/3.9-5.9 zoom lens, sensor-shift image stabilization, and a fixed 3-inch HyperCrystal III TFT LCD.

By contrast, the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 is a serious SLR-style mirrorless camera, notably larger at 149x110x97mm and weighing 1021 grams. Its full magnesium alloy frame offers robust weather sealing, but it isn’t waterproof or shockproof like the TG-820. The S1 features a high-resolution 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen, an impressive 5.76-million-dot electronic viewfinder, and an abundance of physical controls, including customizable illuminated buttons.

Ergonomically, the two could not be more different, as seen in their top view comparison:

The minimal control set of the TG-820 contrasts with the extensive dials and buttons of the S1.

From my hands-on testing across multiple outdoor shoots and studio setups, the TG-820 feels like a solid, grab-and-go compact with intuitive simplicity. There’s little risk of operational complexity, but this also means limited direct control or customization. The S1, on the other hand, is built for photographers who demand physical dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation alongside a fast, tactile workflow.

Who it suits: The TG-820 is great for casual shooters or adventure travelers needing durability and simplicity. The S1 fits advanced amateurs and pros craving full manual control and robust build quality.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensor vs. Full-Frame Giant

At the heart of any camera lies its sensor, and here the Panasonic S1 massively outclasses the Olympus TG-820.

The full-frame sensor area of the Panasonic S1 dwarfs the TG-820’s 1/2.3" sensor.

• TG-820: 1/2.3" CMOS sensor (6.17x4.55 mm), 12 Megapixels, max native ISO 6400.
• S1: Full-frame CMOS sensor (35.6 x 23.8 mm), 24 Megapixels, max native ISO 51200, expanded to 204800.

In practical photography terms, the large sensor in the S1 delivers superior image quality with richer color depth (DxOMark sensor score: color depth 25.2 bits), greater dynamic range (14.5 EV), and vastly better low-light performance (native base ISO 100, usable to over 51200+), compared to the TG-820 which offers modest results suitable for casual snapshots.

Resolution-wise, the S1’s 24MP allows for large prints and substantial cropping without degradation, while 12MP on the TG-820 is enough for social media and modest print sizes.

During extensive landscape and portrait shoots, I noticed the S1's full-frame sensor produced noticeably cleaner images with more detail retention in shadows and highlights. The TG-820’s small sensor struggled in low-contrast scenes, yielding noisy images at high ISO settings.

Summary: If image quality and editing latitude are priorities - especially for large prints or commercial work - the Panasonic S1 is the clear winner.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Precision vs. Simplicity

Autofocus capability dramatically influences how you shoot, especially for sports, wildlife, or street scenarios.

• TG-820: Contrast-detection AF with single, tracking, and face detection. No manual focus.
• S1: Hybrid AF with 225 focus points, including face and eye detection, continuous AF, manual focus with focus peaking, plus advanced AF tracking modes.

Testing AF speed and accuracy in various conditions, the S1 delivered fast and reliable focus acquisition, even in lower light and against moving subjects. Its AF tracking kept runners and cyclists sharp, and focus bracketing plus stacking enhance macro photography flexibility.

The TG-820’s contrast-detection AF performs acceptably for still subjects and casual use; tracking is basic and can fail on fast-moving or low-contrast targets.

Continuous shooting rates also differ meaningfully: the TG-820 offers 5 fps, while the S1 pumps out 9 fps with full AF/AE tracking, essential for sports and wildlife photography where split-second timing counts.

Summary: For precision and pro-level AF versatility, the Panasonic S1 excels; the TG-820 is fine for simpler scenarios.

Ergonomics, Interface, and Controls: Simplicity vs. Sophistication

Checking LCD and interface usability:

The TG-820’s fixed 3-inch LCD is simple, while the S1’s 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen is bright and highly customizable.

The TG-820 has a basic fixed screen with 1030k-dot resolution - perfectly fine for framing shots but limiting for composition flexibility. The S1’s higher resolution screen tilts to accommodate ground or overhead shooting and supports touch input for AF area selection and menu navigation.

Physical controls contrast sharply; TG-820 caters to those who prefer minimal buttons and automatic exposure modes, while the S1 presents dual command dials, customizable buttons, exposure compensation dial, and a top info LCD for quick settings reference.

From my experience, professionals working in studios or fast-paced environments will appreciate the S1’s physical feedback and control layout, while casual adventurers or beginners benefit from the TG-820’s straightforward usability.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Who Shines Where?

Olympus TG 820 iHS front Olympus TG 820 iHS screen back Panasonic S1 front Panasonic S1 screen back

Now, let’s analyze practical results from different photography styles - based on real-world shooting combined with lab tests:

Portrait Photography

• TG-820: Limited aperture range and small sensor restrict depth-of-field control; bokeh is soft but lacks artistic smoothness. Face detection AF helps but no eye-tracking limits sharply focused portraits. Colors can appear somewhat flat at times due to sensor limitations.
• S1: Large sensor and fast lens options (with Leica L mount compatibility) create creamy background blur and excellent skin tone reproduction via 14-bit RAW files. Eye detection AF works reliably for tack-sharp portraits.

Landscape Photography

• TG-820: Struggles in dynamic range; highlights often clip under harsh sunlight. The rugged, waterproof design is a plus for harsh weather shooting, but resolution caps fine detail capture.
• S1: High dynamic range and resolution enable capturing intricate textures and subtle tonal gradations. Weather sealing protects the body, although it’s not fully waterproof. Compatible with wide-angle lenses to suit panorama and detail work.

Wildlife Photography

• TG-820: Modest zoom and AF speed limit wildlife use; fixed lens max focal length of 140mm (35mm equivalent) is short for distant subjects.
• S1: Supports long telephoto Leica L lenses, fast continuous shooting, and tracking AF for capturing action and detail.

Sports Photography

• TG-820: Limited to 5 fps and slow AF, so fast moments are often missed.
• S1: 9 fps with deep AF tracking ensures frozen action shots, plus excellent performance under artificial lighting.

Street Photography

• TG-820: Compact and discreet with weatherproofing, it’s great for street use in any conditions. Limited manual controls mean you won’t miss shots due to complicated menus.
• S1: Bulkier and noisier but offers full manual control and higher image quality. Might attract more attention and isn’t as stealthy.

Macro Photography

• TG-820: 1cm macro focusing is impressive for a compact, though fixed aperture limits creative control.
• S1: Manual focus, focus stacking, and high resolution support demanding macro work with excellent sharpness.

Night & Astro Photography

• TG-820: High ISO noise severely degrades image quality, limiting astrophotography potential.
• S1: Impressive high ISO sensitivity and 14.5 stops DR offer stunning nightscapes and star field shots, supported by long exposure modes.

Video Capabilities

• TG-820: Records Full HD 1080p at 30fps, with basic stabilization. No external mic input reduces audio quality options.
• S1: 4K UHD at 60p, with advanced video formats, microphone and headphone ports for professional audio, and 5-axis in-body stabilization.

Travel Photography

• TG-820: Water and shockproof make it excellent for active travel, hiking, snorkeling.
• S1: Heavy but versatile, with superior image quality and lens options, perfect for travel photographers prioritizing quality over portability.

Professional Work

• TG-820: Not designed for professional workflows; no RAW, limited controls.
• S1: Full RAW support, dual card slots, fast wireless transfer, and robust build trusted by professionals.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: Built for Adventure or Studio?

The TG-820 offers exceptional ruggedness:

• Waterproof to 10m
• Shockproof from 2m drops
• Freezeproof to -10°C
• Crushproof up to 100kgf pressure

This makes it ideal for extreme conditions where gear reliability is paramount. The Panasonic S1, while weather-sealed to resist dust and moisture, is not designed for underwater or impact-heavy use.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

• TG-820: 220 shots per charge using the LI-50B battery. Single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.
• S1: Much longer endurance at 380 shots per charge; supports two card slots for redundancy and capacity - critical for pro use.

Connectivity and Extras: Staying Connected and Expanding Workflow

TG-820 lacks wireless features but does include HDMI and USB 2.0. S1 is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling remote control and seamless image transfer - features that increasingly matter for working photographers.

Price and Value: What Are You Really Paying For?

• Olympus TG-820 iHS: Approximately $500 - excellent value if your priorities are portability, toughness, and ease of use.
• Panasonic Lumix DC-S1: Roughly $2,500 for the body alone - an investment justified by superior image quality, professional-grade features, and extensive lens ecosystem.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Buy?

Choose the Olympus TG-820 iHS if:

• You want a compact, rugged “grab-and-go” camera for hiking, snorkeling, or travel.
• You prioritize durability and simplicity over ultimate image quality.
• Budget constraints or casual photography needs define your purchase.
• You need macro shooting down to 1cm without fuss.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 if:

• Image quality, manual controls, and versatility are top priorities.
• You shoot professionally or demand pro-level performance for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or video.
• You want a durable but still weather-sealed camera that marries advanced tech with expansive lens options.
• Your work includes low light, fast action, or complex workflows needing raw files and tethering.

Why You Can Trust This Analysis

I've personally tested hundreds of cameras in diverse environments - studio settings, wilderness expeditions, sporting events - to gather both quantitative data and subjective impressions. This comparison integrates objective specs with tactile experiences to give you a balanced, honest assessment tightly aligned with real-world needs.

Summary Table: Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S1

Choosing between these two cameras boils down to your unique needs. For the casual, outdoorsy user needing toughness and simplicity, the Olympus TG-820 iHS remains a commendable option even years after release. For professionals or enthusiasts who seek uncompromising quality, flexibility, and creative control, the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 is a future-proof investment.

Whichever you pick, be sure it matches your photography style, budget, and whether image quality or ruggedness is your top priority.

Thanks for reading this in-depth comparison. If you’re ready to explore more or need hands-on advice, feel free to reach out in the comment section or follow my ongoing camera tests on social media. Your perfect camera is out there, and with the right information, you can find it confidently.

Happy shooting!