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Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Revealed May 2017
  • Replaced the Olympus TG-4
  • Renewed by Olympus TG-6
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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-5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus TG-5 versus Panasonic SZ1, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the TG-5 (12MP) and SZ1 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The TG-5 was brought out 5 years later than the SZ1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the TG-5 grades versus the SZ1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Panasonic SZ1

 TG-5 SZ1 
AnnouncedMay 2017January 2012Fresher by 66 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus TG-5

 SZ1 TG-5 

Common features in the Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic SZ1

 TG-5 SZ1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-5 enjoys exterior measurements of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-5 versus Panasonic SZ1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the TG-5 and the SZ1.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the TG-5 and SZ1 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by looking at specs. The graphic underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-5 and SZ1.

All in all, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ1 to give you extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent TG-5 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography highlights
39
has manual focus
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW files
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography information
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (250g)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (131g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-5
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
46
high max frames per second (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
good battery life (340 per charge)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
features tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Travel photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography details
68
good battery life (340 CIPA)
weather proof
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competitors in class (250 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than others (131g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography advice
57
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
good battery life (340 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
43
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging advice
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic support
heavier than competitors in class (250g)
32
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than others (131 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
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Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus Tough TG-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Tough TG-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2017-05-17 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 25 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 20.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lb) 131 grams (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 340 images 250 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $449 $179