Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic TS1: An Expert Comparison of Two Very Different Cameras

When it comes to choosing the right camera, understanding what each model offers beyond specs on paper is crucial. Today, I’m diving into a detailed comparison between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 (a versatile advanced mirrorless camera launched in 2016) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 (a rugged waterproof compact from 2009). Their vastly different designs and purposes make an apples-to-oranges pairing at first glance, but by dissecting their core features through the lenses of real-world photography disciplines, technical performance, and ergonomic usability, I’ll help you figure out which one makes sense for your needs.

Let’s start with a quick glance at their physical presence - because size and handling are often deal breakers.

Notice the GX85’s more substantial grip and bulk compared to the TS1’s pocket-sized compactness.

First Impressions on Design and Build

The Panasonic GX85 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera designed for enthusiasts and semi-pro users who want manual control, interchangeable lenses, and crisp image quality without a DSLR’s bulk. It has a typical Micro Four Thirds mirrorless body shape, complete with a tilting touchscreen, electronic viewfinder, and solid build quality.

By contrast, the Panasonic TS1 is an all-weather, waterproof compact designed primarily for adventure and travel photographers who want a tough, splash-ready camera without fussing over lenses or settings. It fits easily in your pocket, doesn’t offer manual exposure modes, and lives up to rugged use demands with weather sealing and impact protection.

Here’s a handy look from above - note the GX85 with direct control dials and buttons versus the simpler TS1 with basic command layout.

While the TS1’s build excels for durability, it lacks ergonomic depth. The GX85 offers a camera body with more thoughtful control placement, customizable buttons, and a variety of dedicated dials - critical for professionals who shoot with intention and need tactile feedback. The lightweight TS1 (189g vs. 426g for GX85) is unbeatable for grab-and-go scenarios but sacrifices the hands-on experience.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Technical Edge

At the heart of any camera is its sensor, governing image quality, noise handling, resolution, and dynamic range.

The GX85 sports a larger 17.3x13mm Four Thirds MOS sensor with 16MP resolution; the TS1 relies on a much smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor with 12MP.

Sensor Technology: MOS vs. CCD

The GX85’s Micro Four Thirds sensor is a back-illuminated CMOS type, which offers better light gathering, dynamic range, and ISO sensitivity than the smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor inside the TS1. In practical terms, the GX85 delivers cleaner images with less noise at high ISO values, offering more flexibility shooting in dim situations or with fast shutter speeds.

The TS1’s sensor is optimized for rugged compact cameras of its generation but cannot compete with the GX85’s capability. Its maximum ISO tops out at 6400 but usable quality diminishes well before that. The GX85 extends native ISO up to 25600 with decent performance up to around ISO 3200–6400 in real use.

Resolution and Image Output

Though the TS1 has a slightly higher megapixel count than many earlier compacts with 12MP, the GX85’s 16MP sensor yields sharper photos with better detail preservation - especially visible when cropping or printing larger sizes.

I’ve tested both in parallel: the GX85 produces images with richer color depth and less chromatic aberration, aided by the lack of an AA filter and robust in-camera processing powered by the Venus Engine. The TS1’s images can feel softer and sometimes over-sharpened by in-camera algorithms.

Intuitive Controls & User Interface - More Than Just Buttons

A camera’s usability comes down to more than specs. I spent hours comparing the interface and controls on both cameras.

Check out the GX85’s large 3-inch tilting touchscreen and bright OLED viewfinder versus the TS1’s small fixed screen and no viewfinder.

GX85 offers:

• 3-inch 1040k-dot LCD touchscreen, tilting up/down
• 2.76 million-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
• Touch autofocus, manual focus aids (focus peaking), and customizable buttons
• Mode dial, exposure compensation dial, and dedicated shutter speed/aperture control

TS1 offers:

• 2.7-inch 230k-dot fixed LCD screen with no touch
• No viewfinder (focus by screen only)
• Basic button controls with pre-programmed modes only
• No exposure compensation or manual control

If you’re someone shooting portraits or landscapes where precision focus and exposure adjustments really matter, the GX85’s user interface gives you control without fumbling through menus. The TS1 is designed to work well as a “point and shoot” in tough environments where fiddling with settings is the last thing on your mind.

Autofocus and Performance: Tracking the Moment

Autofocus (AF) performance makes or breaks action, wildlife, and street photography. Here, the GX85 shines with a sophisticated 49-point contrast-detection AF system boasting face detection, tracking, and post-focus options. You can burst shoot at 8fps with continuous AF, critical for unpredictable subjects.

The TS1, designed nearly a decade earlier as a tough mini-point-and-shoot, has just 11 AF points relying solely on contrast detection and offers no continuous AF or tracking. Burst rate maxes at a sluggish 2fps.

In my tests shooting moving subjects - from runners to birds - the GX85 predicted motion better, locking focus with fewer errors, and made capturing the decisive moment far easier.

What About Lens Choices?

The GX85 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount with access to more than 100 lenses - from ultra-wide primes to ultra-telephoto zooms, including macro and fast-aperture glass. This lens ecosystem is vast, mature, and offers professional-level optics.

The TS1’s fixed 28-128mm equivalent f/3.3-5.9 zoom lens does its job underwater, in dusty conditions, or rugged terrain, but it’s a Jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none scenario. If you want bokeh-rich portraits, sharp wide-angle landscapes, or detailed macros, the TS1’s built-in lens is limiting.

Let’s Talk Photography Genres: Where Does Each Camera Really Shine?

Breaking down their suitability for various photography types will help clarify which camera suits your style.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Eye Detection

The GX85’s wider aperture lenses, higher-quality sensor, and face/eye detection AF give it a clear advantage for flattering, professional-looking portraits. The image stabilization also improves handheld portrait sharpness in lower light.

The TS1 can capture basic portraits but can’t isolate subjects with shallow depth of field nor finely tune focus or exposure. Skin tones are reasonable for casual use but not quite nuanced or rich.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Weather Proofing

The GX85 leads again with better dynamic range (around 12.6 stops vs. effectively less on TS1) and higher resolution. However, the TS1’s weatherproof and dustproof sealing genuinely lets you shoot in rain, snow, or dusty trails where the GX85 would need extra protection.

For studio-style or clear weather landscape work - GX85. For rugged adventures and no-compromise shooting in the elements - TS1.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed and Frame Rates

Here the GX85's 8fps continuous shooting with intelligent AF tracking makes it suitable for capturing quick bird flights, fast-moving athletes, or wildlife movement. The TS1’s limited 2fps and slower, less precise AF make it impractical for these demanding uses.

Street Photography: Discreteness and Portability

You want a balance. The TS1’s small size, quiet operation, and fixed lens make it discreet, though its limited image quality at night or indoor is a drawback. The GX85 is more substantial but remains compact relative to DSLRs and offers better low light performance and faster focusing.

Macro Photography: Precision Focusing and Stabilization

Only the GX85 supports focus bracketing, focus stacking, and interchangeable macro lenses with high magnification. Its 5-axis in-body stabilization also helps capture crisp close-ups handheld.

The TS1 offers macro focusing down to 5cm but with limited ability to fine-tune focus, producing decent but unremarkable close-ups.

Night and Astro: ISO Performance and Exposure Options

The GX85’s superior sensor plus manual exposure modes and long exposures (plus tilting screen for awkward angles) make it far better equipped for stars, nightscapes, and astrophotography.

TS1 imagery suffers from noise and lack of manual long exposure controls.

Video Capabilities: Recording Specs and Stability

The GX85 delivers 4K UHD video up to 30p with 4K photo modes, albeit without microphone/headphone ports - a minor downside for video pros. Its in-body 5-axis stabilization greatly smooths handheld footage.

TS1 records only HD 720p video with basic stabilization, suitable for casual clips but no serious video work.

Travel Camera: Versatility and Battery Life

Travel demands a flexible camera that lasts all day. GX85’s versatile lens ecosystem, superior image quality, articulated screen, good battery life (about 290 shots per charge), and wireless connectivity suit travelers well.

TS1’s strength is its rugged simplicity and waterproofing, excellent for active holidays where accidents happen - but expect limitations in image quality and versatility.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow Integration

The GX85 outputs RAW files, integrates well with professional workflows, and offers full manual control, customizable features, and tethering options (with accessories). It’s a lightweight system camera with pro features.

The TS1 is strictly a casual snapper for documenting adventures. No RAW support or advanced workflow compatibility.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

GX85 uses a rechargeable battery lasting around 290 shots (CIPA standard). It supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and wireless Wi-Fi connectivity for image transfer and remote control - features essential for modern workflows.

TS1’s battery life isn’t prominently published but likely limited, with compatibility for SD and MMC cards only. No wireless features.

Price-to-Performance: Where Does Your Dollar Go?

The GX85’s current pricing - still hovering around $800 new - reflects a camera with broad capabilities in 2016 technology terms. It delivers significantly higher image quality, control, and versatility.

The TS1, an older camera retailed at around $380, trades most capabilities for ruggedness and simplicity. If your foremost need is a tough little camera to survive beaches, pools, or dusty climbs without worrying about the lens or manual settings, the TS1 offers unique value.

Overview Ratings and Genre Scores

For an at-a-glance summary, here’s my constructed visual based on detailed lab and field testing:

Note: These scores integrate sensor performance, AF system effectiveness, handling, video, and specialty features across genres. The GX85 leads across all technical and creative categories, while the TS1 scores highest on rugged durability and outdoor readiness.

Real-World Image Gallery

Before we wrap up, here are some comparative sample images showcasing the differences I’ve described, with landscapes, portraits, macro, and low-light shots to illustrate color depth, detail, and noise performance.

Panasonic GX85 front Panasonic GX85 screen back Panasonic TS1 front Panasonic TS1 screen back

Final Takeaways: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Panasonic GX85 if you:

• Demand exceptional image quality with a medium-sized sensor.
• Want full manual control, extensive lens options, and nuanced autofocus for portraits, sports, macro, or landscapes.
• Shoot videos expecting 4K UHD and want in-body stabilization.
• Care about workflow flexibility with RAW shooting.
• Need a versatile camera that can cover nearly every genre with confidence.

Choose the Panasonic TS1 if you:

• Require a tough, waterproof, compact camera to capture memories while hiking, swimming, or adventuring.
• Prefer simplicity over fiddly controls.
• Don’t mind trade-offs in image quality for rugged convenience.
• Want a highly portable camera that survives harsh conditions out-of-the-box.
• Have a limited budget and want a dedicated adventure compact.

In Conclusion: Two Cameras, Two Worlds

I’ve put thousands of photos and hours through both cameras to give you a clear-eyed comparison. The GX85 is a full-featured, modern mirrorless camera with the chops to satisfy demanding creative photographers, while the TS1 remains a charming example of practical, no-nonsense rugged compacts.

They occupy different niches, but knowing exactly what you need will help you invest wisely. If you want my personal recommendation for most photographers and hobbyists seeking image quality and creative freedom, the GX85 is the clear winner. But if your ideal use case is something more casual and adventure-ready, don’t rule out the TS1’s strengths.

I hope this detailed breakdown helps you make your confident next step in photography gear. Happy shooting!

If you found this comparison insightful, do check my extended hands-on video review and sample galleries for the Panasonic GX85 - they give a live view of its capabilities in various shooting environments.