Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ8
90 Imaging
40 Features
51 Overall
44


94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced April 2015
- Succeeded the Olympus TG-3
- New Model is Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
- Announced January 2014

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview
Below, we are evaluating the Olympus TG-4 versus Panasonic SZ8, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-4 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is very close and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The TG-4 was launched 16 months after the SZ8 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the TG-4 grades against the SZ8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus Tough TG-4 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus TG-4 Gallery and Panasonic SZ8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-4 over the Panasonic SZ8
TG-4 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2015 | ![]() | January 2014 | More modern by 16 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus TG-4
SZ8 | TG-4 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus TG-4 and Panasonic SZ8
TG-4 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display size |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-4 has physical dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Compare the Olympus TG-4 versus Panasonic SZ8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the TG-4 against the SZ8.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-4 and SZ8 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through specs. The picture below may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-4 and SZ8.
As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same resolution and you should expect comparable quality of files though you will need to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more modern TG-4 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications
Olympus Tough TG-4 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus Tough TG-4 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 |
Category | Waterproof | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2015-04-13 | 2014-01-06 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VII | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | 24-288mm (12.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/3.1-6.3 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 8s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.90 m (at ISO 1600) | 5.20 m |
Flash modes | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 247 grams (0.54 pounds) | 159 grams (0.35 pounds) |
Dimensions | 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 shots | 200 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LI-92B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $379 | $275 |