Clicky

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
41
Overall
39

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Key Specs

Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Announced May 2017
  • Superseded the Olympus TG-4
  • New Model is Olympus TG-6
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus TG-5 versus Panasonic SZ7, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-5 (12MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is very well matched and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

The TG-5 was released 5 years later than the SZ7 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the TG-5 matches up vs the SZ7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Panasonic SZ7

 TG-5 SZ7 
RevealedMay 2017January 2012More recent by 66 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Olympus TG-5

 SZ7 TG-5 

Common features in the Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic SZ7

 TG-5 SZ7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-5 features external dimensions of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ7 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Olympus TG-5 versus Panasonic SZ7 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the TG-5 vs the SZ7.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-5 and SZ7 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by checking specs. The visual here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-5 and SZ7.

All in all, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ7 to give you extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer TG-5 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography info
39
has manual focus
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
34
good MP (14MP)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Street photography info
Panasonic SZ7 Street photography info
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than others (250g)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography advice
46
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery (340 CIPA)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
44
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography highlights
68
better than average battery (340 shots)
weather proofing
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than others (250g)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition in class (133g)
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography highlights
57
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery (340 per charge)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
42
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging info
34
pretty wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
more heavy than others (250g)
35
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (133g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic jack
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic SZ7
 Olympus Tough TG-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Tough TG-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2017-05-17 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
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 12MP 14MP
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 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 25 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 20.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 pounds) 133 gr (0.29 pounds)
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 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 340 photos 220 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $449 $199