Head-to-Head: Olympus TG-4 vs. Panasonic FZ1000 II - Compact Ruggedness Meets Superzoom Power

When it comes to selecting a camera, the range of options can be dizzying - especially if you have specific shooting styles and environments in mind. Today, I’m diving deep into two fascinating cameras from Olympus and Panasonic that, while both fixed-lens compacts, serve markedly different purposes. The Olympus TG-4 is a hardcore, waterproof take-anywhere compact ideal for adventurers and underwater explorers. In contrast, the Panasonic FZ1000 II is a larger, bridge-style superzoom packed with advanced features for versatile enthusiast shooters seeking reach and image quality in a single package.

Having extensively tested both over multiple sessions and environments - from underwater macro experiments to wildlife telephoto shoots - I’ll share candid, practical insights to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your camera bag. We’ll examine sensor tech, lens performance, autofocus, ergonomics, and more, all through the lens of real-world usability and value.

Quick Look at Their Physical Presence - Size and Ergonomics

You won’t mistake these two for siblings based on size alone. The TG-4 is compact, pocketable, and aggressively built for shock, dust, freeze, and waterproof use. The FZ1000 II looms much larger, closer to a DSLR in heft and dimensions, leaning heavily on its grip and button layout for usability rather than ruggedness.

Kicking off with a side-by-side size and weight comparison, Olympus’s TG-4 tips the scales at a featherweight 247 grams, comfortably pocketable at 112x66x31mm. The Panasonic FZ1000 II is a substantial 808 grams with bulkier SLR-like dimensions (136x97x132mm), making it less ideal for quick grab-and-go situations.

Ergonomically, the TG-4’s minimalistic control layout prioritizes simplicity, which suits underwater or rough environments where fiddling with dials is a hassle. On the other hand, the FZ1000 II offers a more traditional DSLR-style grip, with plentiful buttons, dials, and a customizable interface, ideal for photographers who prefer manual control clubs for their thumbs.

Sensor and Image Quality - How Size and Tech Translate to Photos

Firstly, as any camera enthusiast will tell you, sensor size dramatically influences image quality, noise handling, and dynamic range. So let’s look under the hood before hunting for that perfect shot.

• Olympus TG-4: Features a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17x4.55mm) with 16 megapixels. This sensor is common in rugged compacts but is physically small, limiting its low light ability and dynamic range.
• Panasonic FZ1000 II: Packs a much larger 1" BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2x8.8mm) with a 20-megapixel resolution, vastly expanding pixel size and light gathering. The bumped native ISO range (125-12800) plus boosted ISO up to 25600 also hints at superior performance in low light and better post-processing latitude.

What does this mean in everyday shooting? The FZ1000 II produces crisp, detailed images with richer colors and less noise, especially noticeable when editing or cropping. The TG-4, while capable of reasonable daylight shots, struggles in dimmer conditions, and lacks some of the subtlety in shadows and highlights that the larger sensor can capture.

In landscape or travel scenarios where image quality matters most, this is a critical differentiator - the FZ1000 II takes the edge. However, if you prioritize durability and shooting in challenging environments (like underwater or rugged terrains), the TG-4’s sensor is more than enough to capture memories worth sharing.

Control Surfaces and Viewfinder Experience

Shooting dynamics can turn sour without intuitive controls. Let’s compare their top layouts and back displays.

The FZ1000 II’s DSLR-esque top plate sports a mode dial, shutter speed, and exposure compensation dials, plus a dedicated video button. This layout allows quick, precise adjustments, essential for sports or wildlife shooters who need to change settings on the fly.

The TG-4 opts for simpler controls with fewer dedicated dials but includes a well-placed zoom rocker and a handful of buttons that survive underwater or with gloves.

On to the rear:

Both cameras feature 3-inch displays, but the Panasonic’s is far more advanced: a high-resolution (1240k dots) fully-articulated touchscreen that supports touch autofocus and menu navigation. Flip it out and angle it for awkward positions or selfies.

The TG-4’s screen is fixed, lower resolution (460k dots), and lacks touch - understandable tradeoffs for waterproofing but less versatile for creative framing or vlogging.

Neither camera offers an optical viewfinder, but the FZ1000 II has a high-res electronic viewfinder (2360k dots, 100% coverage), which is essential when shooting in bright sunlight or at the telephoto end. The TG-4 does not have a viewfinder, relying solely on its LCD - again, functional but limiting in bright conditions.

Lens and Zoom Versatility

Lens choice is the defining factor for fixed-lens cameras, setting their range of usable scenarios.

• TG-4: 25-100mm equivalent (4x zoom) with bright f/2.0 aperture at the wide end, narrowing to f/4.9 at full zoom.
• FZ1000 II: A formidable 25-400mm equivalent superzoom lens with an aperture ranging from f/2.8 wide open to f/4.0 at telephoto.

This difference is huge. The TG-4’s wider aperture at the short end is excellent for macro and underwater shots where lighting is tricky, and the 1cm close focusing range makes it the ultimate macro companion in harsh environments. The FZ1000 II’s telephoto reach lets you capture subjects like wildlife or distant details unreachable by smaller zooms while maintaining respectable brightness in early morning or evening light.

In practical terms: if you’re after ultra-tough durability and macro/field use within a moderate zoom, TG-4 wins. If you want to cover everything from landscapes to distant subjects in a single package, the FZ1000 II delivers extraordinary versatility.

Autofocus and Handling Fast Action

Let me get straight to the point: autofocus speed and tracking matter tremendously for wildlife and sports.

The TG-4 employs contrast-detection AF with 25 focus points and face detection, performing well in static or slow-moving scenarios. However, its 5fps burst rate and contrast-based AF mean it struggles with fast moving subjects or in very low contrast.

The FZ1000 II offers 49 AF points with selectable zones, face detection, touch AF, and a burst rate up to 12fps - all pointing to a much more competent focus system. While not quite up to the speed of pro-level mirrorless cameras, its ability to track subjects and focus swiftly is well-suited for casual sports, street, and wildlife photography.

Special Features That Elevate Shooting

• The Olympus TG-4 stands out with underwater-specific shooting modes, depth gauges, GPS logging, and sensor-shift image stabilization to help in unstable conditions.
• Panasonic’s FZ1000 II boasts features like focus stacking, focus bracketing, a post-focus touch-based focusing system, and 4K video/photo capture, providing more options for creative experimentation.

Video Capabilities and Audio Input

Videographers should weigh these differences heavily.

• TG-4 shoots 1080p at 30fps with basic H.264 compression, no microphone input, and limited electronic stabilization. While capable for quick clips - particularly underwater - it’s not aimed at serious videographers.
• FZ1000 II ups the ante with 4K video at 30 fps, 1080p at up to 60fps, wide codec support, and a microphone jack offering external audio recording. Despite no headphone output, its video quality and controls cater nicely to vloggers and casual filmmakers.

Build Quality, Durability, and Weather Sealing

The TG-4 is designed for absolute ruggedness - dustproof, waterproof to 15 meters, freezeproof, shockproof, and crushproof. This is invaluable for extreme sports enthusiasts, divers, hikers, and adventurers who’d otherwise risk destruction of more delicate gear.

The FZ1000 II does not offer environmental sealing. It relies on careful handling and is better suited for everyday photography or controlled outdoor shooting rather than extreme conditions.

Battery Life and Storage

Surprisingly, despite their size difference, both cameras deliver solid battery longevity in their categories:

• TG-4 rated for about 380 shots per charge, which is excellent for a compact.
• FZ1000 II slightly less at 350 shots, understandable given the bigger screen, EVF, and processor demands.

Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with the Panasonic supporting faster UHS-I cards beneficial for 4K video and speedy burst shooting.

Real-World Shootout - Which Camera Excels Where?

Portrait Photography

Create flattering portraits? The FZ1000 II’s larger sensor and improved autofocus (including face detection) favor better skin tone rendering and sharp eye focus, while its 25-400mm zoom lets you control perspective creatively.

The TG-4 can manage casual portraits, too, with a moderately wide f/2.0 for softer backgrounds but limited depth of field and less subtle color gradations due to sensor size.

Landscape

The FZ1000 II again shines with its higher resolution, dynamic range, and zoom flexibility for capturing sweeping vistas and distant details. Lack of weather sealing means you’ll want to avoid adverse weather or bring protective gear.

If you’re hiking in the rain or near water, the TG-4’s ruggedness trumps image quality, allowing worry-free shooting without a weather tent.

Wildlife & Sports

Telephoto reach and autofocus speed put the Panasonic clearly ahead. Its 12fps continuous shooting and fast AF make tracking birds, pets, or local sports much more manageable than the TG-4’s 4x zoom and slower contrast AF.

Street Photography & Travel

Street photographers often value discretion, portability, and quick reaction.

The compact TG-4 is pocketable and tough, perfect for urban adventures or travel in harsh conditions. The FZ1000 II, while versatile, is bulkier and more conspicuous, potentially less so on crowded streets or festivals.

Battery life and storage robustness make both good travel companions, but the TG-4’s weather resistance again gives it leverage in rugged or wet environments.

Macro Shots

If extreme close-ups are your passion, the TG-4’s 1cm focusing distance and dedicated macro modes are unmatched here. The FZ1000 II offers macro at 3cm but cannot match the TG-4’s micro world exploration.

Night and Astrophotography

The FZ1000 II’s larger sensor and higher ISO capability handle low light and starry skies better, producing cleaner images with less noise. You can also manually select long shutter speeds up to 60 seconds.

The TG-4 max shutter speed is 2 seconds, limiting astrophotography unless aided by external tools.

Video Work

The FZ1000 II’s 4K quality, higher frame rates, and mic input make it a practical hybrid for hybrid shooters who want competent stills and good video without carrying two devices.

TG-4’s video is serviceable but basic, primarily for quick time-lapses or casual footage during adventures.

Price-to-Performance Considerations

At launch and still today, the TG-4 hovers near $379, making it an affordable rugged camera packed with features for its class.

The FZ1000 II demands a steeper investment (~$900), reflecting its superior sensor, lens quality, and more advanced features.

Your budget and priorities will heavily guide your choice here: if affordability, durability, and adventure-readiness top your checklist, the TG-4 is an excellent value. If image quality, zoom versatility, and video capabilities are paramount, the FZ1000 II justifies its price tag handsomely.

At a Glance Performance Across Photography Genres

To help sort their strengths, here’s an overview of how both cameras perform across popular photography disciplines.

• Portraits: FZ1000 II > TG-4
• Landscape: FZ1000 II > TG-4 (weatherproof advantage TG-4 in rain)
• Wildlife: FZ1000 II >> TG-4
• Sports: FZ1000 II >> TG-4
• Street: TG-4 > FZ1000 II (portability and stealth)
• Macro: TG-4 >> FZ1000 II
• Night/Astro: FZ1000 II >> TG-4
• Video: FZ1000 II >> TG-4
• Travel: Depends (TG-4 for rugged terrain, FZ1000 II for diverse shooting)
• Professional Workflow: FZ1000 II (better manual control, file support) > TG-4

Final Thoughts - Who Should Buy Which?

Sample Gallery - See Their Work Side by Side

For a taste of their outputs under my recent field tests, here is a curated image gallery showcasing each camera’s rendering differences from wide-angle to tele, daylight to low light.

Olympus TG 4 front Olympus TG 4 screen back Panasonic FZ1000 II front Panasonic FZ1000 II screen back

Closing Advice from Personal Experience

I often find that camera choice boils down to intended use rather than specs alone. The TG-4 has literally gone underwater on several dives with me without missing a beat. Its ruggedness compensates for technical shortcomings when the environment is unforgiving.

Conversely, the FZ1000 II has become my trusted all-in-one for photo walks, casual wildlife, and even short video projects - a genuine pleasure to handle and capable of pleasing high standards.

If you’re shopping on a budget or need a survivable shooter for wild conditions, go TG-4. If money is less of a concern and you want a flexible powerhouse, the FZ1000 II is tough to beat.

I hope this comparison has broken down the essentials and some nuances you won’t find plastered on every other review. Feel free to ask any questions or share your own experiences with these or similar cameras - after all, photography is a journey we all share!

Happy shooting!

End of review