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Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
90 Imaging
38 Features
51 Overall
43
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Released May 2017
  • Superseded the Olympus TG-4
  • Updated by Olympus TG-6
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise 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
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Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic SZ8, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the TG-5 (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The TG-5 was introduced 3 years after the SZ8 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the TG-5 grades vs the SZ8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Panasonic SZ8

					

					

						
 TG-5 SZ8 
AnnouncedMay 2017January 2014More modern by 41 months
Manually focus  More exact focus
					

				


				

					

						
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus TG-5

					

					

						
 SZ8 TG-5 
					

				


				

					

						
Common features in the Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic SZ8

					

					

						
 TG-5 SZ8 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen  No selfie screen
Touch screen  No Touch screen
					

				

				

	
	
	
	

				

					

						
Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

					

					

						
If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-5 enjoys outer 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) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has sizing of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Check the Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the TG-5 against the SZ8.
Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison
Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-5 and SZ8 is 90 and 94 respectively.
Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison					

				


				

					

						
Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

					

					

						
Generally, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes merely by viewing specifications. The picture here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-5 and SZ8.
Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic SZ8 to provide you with greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The newer TG-5 provides an edge in sensor tech.

						Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison
					

				


				

					

						
Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

					

					

											

					Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison				


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Photography Type Scores

					

				

				
Portrait Comparison
Olympus TG-5 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography factors
39
 you can focus manually
 has face detect focusing
 saves RAW files
 no manual control
 cannot use external flash
 sensor resolution low (12MP)
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
35
 good  resolution (16 megapixels)
 features face detection autofocus
 focusing manually not possible
 manual mode not possible
 external flash not possible
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison
Street photography with Olympus TG-5
Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
64
 image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 saves RAW files
 environment proofing
 no moving screen
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 more heavy than competition in class (250 grams)
63
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
 fixed screen
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison
 Olympus TG-5 as a Sports photography camera
 Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
46
 fast shooting (20.0 fps)
 image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 has tracking focus
 environment proofing
 good battery (340 shots)
 no shutter priority mode
 sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 doesn't have phase detect AF
34
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 good  resolution (16MP)
 continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
 no shutter priority mode
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 terrible battery life (200 shots)
 lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus TG-5 Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography information
68
 good battery (340 per charge)
 environment proofing
 flash built-in
 fairly wide (25mm)
 good max aperture (f2.0)
 more heavy than competition in class (250 grams)
 sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
 display isn't selfie friendly
67
 lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
 good  resolution (16 megapixels)
 has built in flash
 decently wide (24mm)
 very long zoom (288mm)
 doesn't have Time Lapse recording
 terrible battery life (200 per charge)
 does not have a selfie friendly display
 slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Olympus TG-5
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
57
 you can focus manually
 fairly wide (25mm)
 good max aperture (f2.0)
 good sized screen (3")
 image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 saves RAW files
 environment proofing
 good battery (340 shots)
 cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
 no manual control
 sensor resolution low (12MP)
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
42
 decently wide (24mm)
 screen is a good size (3")
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 good  resolution (16 megapixels)
 focusing manually not possible
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 slow max aperture (f3.1)
 manual mode not possible
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW support
 terrible battery life (200 shots)
 doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Olympus TG-5
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
34
 fairly wide (25mm)
 good max aperture (f2.0)
 image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 has face detect focusing
 high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
 display isn't selfie friendly
 does not have microphone jack
 more heavy than competition in class (250 grams)
32
 decently wide (24mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 features face detection autofocus
 lighter than competition in class (159g)
 slow max aperture (f3.1)
 does not have a selfie friendly display
 low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
 doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

					

					

											


					

						Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus Tough TG-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Tough TG-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2017-05-17 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII 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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 1600
Max enhanced ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format    
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch to focus    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detect focus    
Contract detect focus    
Phase detect focus    
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch friendly    
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 20.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range - 5.20 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support    
Headphone support    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lb) 159 grams (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 images
Battery style 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
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $449 $275