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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS4

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS4 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2012
Panasonic TS4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FT4
  • Old Model is Panasonic TS3
  • Replacement is Panasonic TS5
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS4 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic TS4, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof and both are built by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the TS4 (12MP) is fairly similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was brought out 6 months after the TS4 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the SZ5 scores versus the TS4 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic TS4

 SZ5 TS4 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Panasonic SZ5

 TS4 SZ5 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic TS4

 SZ5 TS4 
IntroducedJuly 2012January 2012Similar generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS4 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ5 provides exterior dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Panasonic TS4 has proportions of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic TS4 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ5 vs the TS4.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS4 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and TS4 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS4 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS4 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and TS4.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ5 to offer you extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS4 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS4 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic TS4 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent MP (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic TS4 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (136g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
Sports photography with Panasonic TS4
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
offers tracking focus
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery power (310 CIPA)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography info
Panasonic TS4 Travel photography info
70
lighter than average (136 grams)
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
66
good battery power (310 CIPA)
environment proofing
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic TS4 Landscape photography factors
42
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse function
41
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
good battery power (310 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic TS4 Vlogging highlights
32
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
lighter than average (136 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
32
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of mic port
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic TS4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic TS4
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FT4
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2012-07-18 2012-01-31
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
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 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-128mm (4.6x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136g (0.30 lbs) 197g (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1")
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 250 photos 310 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $195 $399