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Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Tough TG-4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Olympus TG-4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Earlier Model is Olympus TG-3
  • New Model is Olympus TG-5
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Olympus TG-4 versus Panasonic SZ1, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-4 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-4 was revealed 3 years later than the SZ1 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the TG-4 matches up against the SZ1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-4 over the Panasonic SZ1

 TG-4 SZ1 
AnnouncedApril 2015January 2012Fresher by 40 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus TG-4

 SZ1 TG-4 

Common features in the Olympus TG-4 and Panasonic SZ1

 TG-4 SZ1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-4 features outside measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ1 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-4 versus Panasonic SZ1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the TG-4 compared to the SZ1.

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-4 and SZ1 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by looking at specifications. The visual underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-4 and SZ1.

To sum up, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP so you can expect similar quality of photos although you should always factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher TG-4 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography highlights
47
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-4
Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (247g)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-4 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-4 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
74
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
environment sealing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competitors (247g)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition (131g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography advice
62
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
43
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-4 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging highlights
34
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competitors (247 grams)
32
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (131 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-4 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus Tough TG-4Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Tough TG-4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2015-04-13 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias 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 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 25 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.90 m (at ISO 1600) 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
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 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 247g (0.54 lb) 131g (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 380 pictures 250 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $379 $179