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Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Introduced May 2017
  • Succeeded the Olympus TG-4
  • Replacement is Olympus TG-6
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS7
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Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic ZS8, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the TG-5 (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The TG-5 was announced 5 years later than the ZS8 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the TG-5 scores against the ZS8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Panasonic ZS8

 TG-5 ZS8 
IntroducedMay 2017July 2011More recent by 71 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus TG-5

 ZS8 TG-5 

Common features in the Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic ZS8

 TG-5 ZS8 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-5 enjoys external dimensions of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS8 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic ZS8 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the TG-5 vs the ZS8.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-5 and ZS8 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements only by reading technical specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-5 and ZS8.

As you can tell, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic ZS8 to deliver more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern TG-5 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-5
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS8
39
you can focus manually
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
30
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography details
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
environment proof
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (250 grams)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (210g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-5 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Sports photography camera
46
fast shooting (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
environment proof
great battery pack (340 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery pack (340 CIPA)
environment proof
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than average in class (250 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
69
lighter than average (210g)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography highlights
57
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
environment proof
great battery pack (340 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
44
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging info
34
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have mic socket
heavier than average in class (250g)
30
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (210g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus Tough TG-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Tough TG-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2017-05-17 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII Venus Engine FHD
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 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 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 25 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
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 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 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 Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lbs) 210 grams (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 images 340 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $449 $275