Panasonic TS1 vs Sony WX50: A Hands-On Comparison of Versatile Compact Cameras

When it comes to choosing a compact camera in the budget-friendly segment, there are plenty of options, but few bring quite the contrast in design philosophy and practical usability as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 (TS1) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 (WX50). I’ve personally put both through their paces across a broad array of real-world shooting scenarios - with an eye toward what matters most: image quality, handling, versatility, and, of course, value.

In this in-depth comparison, I’ll break down their performance and features from portraits to wildlife, landscapes to nightscapes, and even video work. Plus, I’ll share clear recommendations so you can figure out which camera suits your style and budget right now.

Getting to Know the Cameras: Size, Build, and Frontline Controls

First impressions matter. And looking at these two cameras side-by-side, you notice immediately that they’re built for different kinds of users.

Panasonic TS1: The Rugged Adventure Companion

The TS1 is unapologetically tough - waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof. It’s designed to survive your splashy pool days, beach storms, and rugged hikes. Panasonic’s fixed lens spans 28-128mm equivalent (4.6x zoom), f/3.3–5.9 aperture. The body is fairly chunky at 98x63x23mm and weighs 189 grams.

Sony WX50: The Sleek Street and Travel Shooter

The WX50, by contrast, opts for sleek portability: at just 92x52x19mm and 117 grams, it fits easily in a coat pocket or clutch purse. Its 25-125mm (5x zoom) lens is bright at the wide end (f/2.6) but narrows to f/6.3 telephoto, slightly slower than the TS1 for low-light at longer lengths.

Both feature 2.7-inch fixed LCDs, but the Sony screen packs a higher resolution and uses “Clearfoto TFT LCD” tech for better clarity outdoors.

Panasonic TS1 vs Sony WX50: Ergonomics and Handling

Ergonomically, the TS1 is chunkier but offers solid grip and large buttons designed to be usable with gloves - a nod to its rugged ambitions. The Sony goes for minimalist, smooth body lines but can feel a little fiddly under faster shooting contexts or in adverse weather without a firm grip.

From my hands-on tests, the Panasonic’s knobbly textured grip provided a steadier hold on the move, especially in damp or wet conditions. The Sony’s more refined profile excels in casual street shooting or travel scenarios where weight and bulk matter most.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Dashboard

The heart of any camera is its sensor and image processor, and these two differ in meaningful ways.

Sensor Technology and Resolution

• Panasonic TS1 uses a 1/2.3" CCD sensor with 12 megapixels. CCD technology offers solid color reproduction and fine-grain images, but typically lags behind modern CMOS chips in noise handling and speed.
• Sony WX50 boasts a contemporary 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor packing 16 megapixels. The BSI (backside illuminated) design enhances low-light sensitivity and reduces noise - important for shooting beyond daylight hours.

Both sensors share roughly the same physical dimensions (~6x4.5 mm), but Sony’s CMOS edge provides a noticeable bump in image quality at higher ISOs and better dynamic range.

Image Quality In Real Shooting

In daylight shooting, both produce decent 4:3 aspect ratio images with sharpness and color good enough for casual prints and web sharing. However, the Sony files show finer detail thanks to resolution advantage and modern sensor design. The Panasonic images tend to have slightly warmer tones but fall back when light dims.

ISO 400–800 performance reveals the Sony WX50’s better noise control; Panasonic’s CCD sensor starts showing grain and smudging above ISO 400, so low light photography can be tricky without a tripod or flash.

Both cameras lack raw capture, meaning they output JPEG-only images - a limitation for pro enthusiasts wanting full post-processing control.

Autofocus and Speed: When the Moment Can’t Wait

Finding and locking focus rapidly is essential, especially in wildlife or action photography.

Panasonic TS1 Autofocus

The TS1 uses a contrast-detection autofocus system with 11 focus points, centered on a single AF point selection mode, without face or tracking detection. It maxes out at 2 frames per second in continuous shooting, which is quite sluggish for sports or wildlife.

Sony WX50 Autofocus

Sony’s WX50 upgrades things with contrast-detection AF boasting face detection and tracking capabilities. Though point count isn’t officially stated, it offers better subject tracking for portraits and moving objects. More importantly, burst shooting clocks at 10 fps, dramatically enhancing your chance to freeze action.

Despite lacking phase-detection points or manual focus, the WX50's AF system feels more responsive and reliable through my testing - especially when shooting street or sports sequences.

Viewing Experience: LCD and User Interface

Both utilize fixed 2.7-inch LCDs, but the SX50’s Clearfoto LCD is brighter, sharper, and more contrasty outdoors, making framing easier in direct sunlight. The TS1’s screen, with only 230k dots, tends to look dimmer and grainier.

Neither camera incorporates a viewfinder, electronic or optical, so you’re camera-at-arm’s length for composing shots.

Build Quality and Environmental Endurance

Here's where Panasonic's TS1 distinctly shines:

• Waterproof: TS1 rated for submersion, great for beach, pool, or rain-soaked shoots. WX50 is not waterproof.
• Dustproof & Shockproof: TS1 can handle dust and accidental drops better than the Sony.
• Freezeproof: Neither camera offers freezeproof specification.
• Sony WX50: No special environmental sealing, more delicate handling required.

If you’re an outdoorsy type prone to rough conditions, the Panasonic TS1’s durability adds real peace of mind.

Zoom Lens and Optics: Reach and Aperture

• Panasonic TS1: 28–128mm f/3.3 to f/5.9
• Sony WX50: 25–125mm f/2.6 to f/6.3

The Sony’s lense beats the Panasonic’s wider at the f/2.6 wide end, meaning it can gather more light for low-light or shallow depth-of-field effects in landscapes or street photography.

However, the Panasonic has a slight edge in telephoto sharpness thanks to lens design, good for moderate wildlife or candid portrait shots at distance, albeit with slower aperture.

Neither lens uses interchangeable elements, so you’re stuck with fixed zoom, limiting creative flexibility.

Portrait Photography: How Do They Capture Skin Tones and Eyes?

Neither camera supports raw capture or advanced face detection beyond Sony’s AF system, but portrait results vary.

• Panasonic TS1: Colors are warmer, slightly more contrasty but limited in bokeh quality due to a small sensor and narrow apertures.
• Sony WX50: Clean, natural skin tones and smooth bokeh at wide aperture (f/2.6), enhanced by face-detection autofocus that locks onto eyes reasonably well in good light.

Neither camera offers eye-tracking or advanced AI face optimization common in later models, but Sony’s AF system helps create more consistent portrait shots, especially indoors or low light.

Landscape and Travel: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Handling

With nearly identical sensor sizes, the 16MP WX50 holds an advantage in resolution and image detail - something I confirmed shooting wide, detailed landscapes showing finer texture and foliage detail.

Dynamic range is always a tough call in this category. Panasonic’s TS1 noise and contrast settings tend to clip highlights under harsh daylight, while WX50’s CMOS sensor stretches shadows better, preserving detail in bright skies and shaded areas.

In travel contexts:

• Panasonic’s ruggedness makes it ideal for unpredictable environments.
• Sony’s compactness and low weight make it better for day-long walks and city sightseeing.

Panasonic TS1 front Panasonic TS1 screen back Sony WX50 front Sony WX50 screen back

Wildlife and Sports Performance: Burst Rates and AF Tracking

Here’s where Sony’s WX50 really walks away from the TS1:

• Burst rate: TS1’s 2 fps vs WX50’s 10 fps enables shooting more decisive moments.
• AF tracking: WX50’s face-tracking helps keep subjects sharp in motion.
• Low-light shooting: WX50’s higher ISO ceiling and faster lens tip the scales in challenging conditions.

Panasonic’s ruggedness is a bonus outdoors, but limited burst speed and sluggish AF make it harder to capture fast-moving birds or athletes in sharp focus.

Street and Macro Photography: Discretion and Close-Up Ability

For street shooting, size and discretion matter:

• The Sony’s smaller, lightweight frame is less obtrusive, perfect for candid images.
• Panasonic’s bulk and robust build can attract attention and feel unwieldy in this context.

Macro abilities are similar: both focus down to 5cm but lack focus stacking or focus bracketing features. The Panasonic offers optical image stabilization (OIS) but so does Sony; stabilizers help at macro distances where shake matters.

Night and Astrophotography: ISO, Exposure, and Noise Control

Neither camera shines as a night/astro tool, but the WX50 again holds the edge:

• Native ISO tops at 12,800 (sony) vs 6,400 (panasonic).
• Noise at ISO 1600 and above is lower on the WX50.
• Exposure times max at 1.3s (TS1) vs 1.6s (WX50), limiting star trail creative shots.
• No long exposure or bulb modes on either.

For casual nightscapes in urban settings, WX50 is the better pickup.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Frame Rates and Stabilization

Both cameras capture HD video but with key differences:

• Panasonic TS1: Max 1280x720 @30fps in AVCHD Lite format; no external microphone input.
• Sony WX50: Full HD 1920x1080 @60fps; formats include AVCHD and MPEG-4; no mic input either.

Neither offers 4K video or in-body digital stabilization beyond lens OIS.

If video is a priority, Sony WX50’s higher resolution and frame rate give it a meaningful edge to capture smoother, sharper footage.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

• Panasonic TS1 battery life info is not published; uses proprietary battery.
• Sony WX50 punches out around 240 shots per charge, respectable for a small compact.

Both cameras take a single card slot; TS1 supports SD/SDHC/MMC; Sony WX50 broadens the field with SD, SDHC, SDXC, and Memory Stick compatibility.

Neither has wireless, Bluetooth, or NFC features for easy image transfer - make sure your workflow accommodates USB transfer and card readers.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Which Camera Is Right For You?

Choose Panasonic TS1 if:

• You need a weatherproof, rugged camera for beaches, hiking, or poolside adventures.
• You prioritize durability over tiny form factor.
• You shoot mostly in bright daylight and want a decent zoom range without fuss.
• You want optical image stabilization and easy-to-use controls with gloves.
• You’re a cheapskate willing to accept older tech for rugged reliability.

Choose Sony WX50 if:

• You want better image quality, especially in low light and with more resolution.
• You shoot portraits and sports requiring fast autofocus, face detection, and higher frame rates.
• You want Full HD video at 60fps for smoother action recording.
• Portability and discretion matter - ideal for street shooting and travel.
• You appreciate a brighter, crisper LCD for framing photos outdoors.

Real Talk: A Veteran Reviewer’s Final Thoughts

I’ve reviewed thousands of compacts in my career, from cheapskate point-and-shoots to premium mirrorless. The Panasonic TS1 and Sony WX50 show what compromises and strengths look like when ruggedness meets refinement.

The TS1 embodies a no-nonsense, tough-as-nails ethos - survive the elements, snap quick family memories. Yet, it feels dated today, with slow autofocus, low-res screen, and underwhelming video.

The WX50 impresses with modern sensor tech, faster AF, and slicker video despite lacking ruggedness. It’s better suited for casual and enthusiast shooters who value image quality and fast operation over brute sturdiness.

If forced to pick for general photography, I’d lean toward Sony WX50 for broader versatility and better image quality in diverse conditions, especially since it comes in at a friendlier price point. But if my adventures tend toward wet, rough terrain, the Panasonic TS1’s ruggedness is the safety net I’d want.

Thanks for reading my deep dive! For more on testing methodology or samples, feel free to reach out or check my camera review archives.

Happy shooting - and may your next camera be your best companion yet.

Appendix: Sample Images and Shooting Conditions

(See above gallery for direct side-by-side images in varied scenarios.)

Controls: Panasonic offers larger buttons; Sony opts for minimal, slick layout.

If you want more tailored advice on lenses or accessories compatible with either camera, just drop me a line!