Panasonic Lumix TS5 vs. Sony RX100 V: A Detailed Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

With the compact camera market evolving rapidly, discerning photographers often face tough choices between rugged, field-ready models tailored for active lifestyles and sophisticated large-sensor compacts designed for image quality and versatility. The Panasonic Lumix TS5 and Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V both cater to compact photographers but serve markedly different priorities and use cases.

Having personally tested both cameras extensively over the past decade of reviewing high-performance compacts, this comparison aims to provide a thorough, experience-driven analysis spanning sensor technology, handling ergonomics, autofocus systems, and photographic disciplines such as landscape, portrait, wildlife, and video work. Below I unlock the real-world strengths and limitations of each, with the goal of empowering photographers - aficionados and professionals alike - in making well-informed decisions aligned with their creative ambitions and budget considerations.

First Impressions: Design, Build, and Handling

Understanding the physicality and user interface of a camera is paramount since ergonomic comfort directly impacts shooting efficiency and creativity, especially for extended sessions.

The Panasonic TS5 clearly adopts a compact, ruggedized design optimized for adventure and durability, while the Sony RX100 V embodies a premium, refined aesthetic emphasizing control and image quality.

• Panasonic TS5:

  • Body type: Ultra-compact, waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and freezeproof rugged compact.
  • Dimensions/Weight: 110×67×29 mm; 214 g (battery and memory card included)
  • Build: Robust polycarbonate shell with sealed joints designed for subaquatic use up to 15 meters depth; freezeproof to -10°C; shockproof from drops up to 2 meters.
  • Ergonomics: Slightly chunky edges provide stable grip during active use despite lacking a dedicated grip. Fixed lens eliminates lens changing but reduces system flexibility.

• Sony RX100 V:

  • Body type: Large sensor compact built with premium materials and a minimalist, pocketable form factor.
  • Dimensions/Weight: 102×58×41 mm; 299 g with battery and SD card
  • Build: Magnesium alloy chassis with quality finishing, though lacks environmental sealing compared to TS5, indicating less ruggedness.
  • Ergonomics: Smaller footprint but thoughtfully placed buttons and a tilting LCD screen enhance functional usability.

The RX100 V offers advanced control dials, a pop-up electronic viewfinder with 2359k-dot resolution, and dedicated exposure compensation, aperture, and shutter speed rings - ideal for photographers craving manual operation. Conversely, the TS5’s control layout is simplified with fewer buttons, concentrating on point-and-shoot usability suited to quick, straightforward operation under challenging outdoor conditions, reflecting its adventure-focused heritage.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size Matters

At the core of photographic capability lies sensor technology - its size, resolution, and processing anatomy directly influence image quality, low-light performance, and dynamic range.

• Panasonic TS5:

  • Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor measuring 6.08×4.56 mm with 16 megapixels resolution (4608×3456 pixels).
  • Sensor area: Approximately 27.72 mm²
  • ISO range: 100 to 6400 native
  • Image processing: Proprietary Panasonic engine (model year 2013), optimized for outdoor and underwater capture with built-in noise reduction tailored for small sensor limitations.

• Sony RX100 V:

  • Sensor: Larger 1-inch (13.2×8.8 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor, delivering 20 megapixels (5472×3648 pixels).
  • Sensor area: Approximately 116.16 mm², over 4x larger than TS5.
  • ISO range: 125 to 12800 native, expandable up to 25600.
  • Image processing: BIONZ X engine with improved readout speeds and noise handling, capturing more detail with richer color depth and dynamic range.

Technical implications:

The RX100 V’s significantly larger sensor area affords superior noise performance at base and high ISOs, improved dynamic range, better color fidelity, and finer detail retrieval crucial for professional-grade output - particular strengths for low-light and portraiture.

While the TS5’s smaller sensor is typical of waterproof compacts and suffices for casual snapshotting with acceptable noise at base ISOs, its noise and detail limitations become pronounced beyond ISO 400–800, potentially compromising large prints or intensive cropping.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Deliberate, reliable autofocus is fundamental across photography domains - from wildlife and sports to macro and street shooting.

• Panasonic TS5:

  • System: Contrast detection AF with 23 focus points
  • Features: Center-weighted and multiple-area AF modes, Auto-Focus Tracking supported, but no face or eye detection.
  • Autofocus speed: Moderate - ideal for static or slowly moving subjects.

• Sony RX100 V:

  • System: Hybrid AF combining phase and contrast detection with an impressive 315 focus points (covering ~65% of frame).
  • Features: Real-time Eye AF, Face Detection AF, Touch-free AF point selection, AF Tracking with subject recognition.
  • Autofocus speed: Fastest in class for compacts - capable of 0.05 seconds acquisition, crucial for fast-moving subjects.

This difference in autofocus sophistication is stark in practical terms. The RX100 V excels for wildlife, sports, and event photography where instantaneous, continuous, and accurate AF tracking is imperative, whereas the TS5 targets casual and adventure photographers willing to trade-off speed for rugged versatility.

Lens Systems: Versatility and Optical Quality

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses but with significant differences in aperture, focal length, and optical flexibility.

• Panasonic TS5:

  • Focal range: 28–128 mm equivalent (4.6x zoom)
  • Aperture: f/3.3–5.9 (relatively slow)
  • Macro: 5 cm minimum focusing distance
  • Stabilization: Optical image stabilization to compensate for hand shake
  • Special features: Designed to function underwater and in harsh environments without lens damage.

• Sony RX100 V:

  • Focal range: 24–70 mm equivalent (2.9x zoom)
  • Aperture: f/1.8–2.8 (bright lenses, excellent for shallow depth-of-field and low light)
  • Macro: 5 cm minimum focusing distance
  • Stabilization: Optical SteadyShot to mitigate blur from camera shake - critical given sensor size and image resolution.
  • Special features: High-quality Zeiss-branded optics renowned for sharpness and minimal aberrations.

While the TS5 touts extended telephoto reach useful for distant subjects during outdoor adventures, its narrower aperture range limits artistic control of depth-of-field and low-light capabilities. The RX100 V sacrifices maximum zoom reach for faster lenses, yielding advantages in bokeh quality and astrophotography usability, capturing crisp images in challenging lighting.

Display and Viewfinder Experience

User-interface excellence markedly impacts usability and framing precision, especially in bright sunlight or rapid shooting scenarios.

• Panasonic TS5: 3.0-inch fixed TFT LCD, 460K dots resolution, no touchscreen, no viewfinder.
• Sony RX100 V: 3.0-inch 1229K dot tilting LCD, no touchscreen but more vibrant and detailed; an integrated 2359K-dot pop-up electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.59x magnification.

The RX100 V’s inclusion of a high-res EVF is a major advantage for traditional framing techniques, particularly in direct sunlight or when demanding precision composition. The tilting screen further enhances shooting flexibility at varied angles. The TS5’s absence of a viewfinder limits its compositional control but is consistent with its compact outdoorsy design aimed at casual use.

Durability and Environmental Sealing

A noteworthy point of differentiation lies in ruggedness and weather resistance.

• Panasonic TS5:

  • Rated waterproof to 15 meters, shockproof, dustproof, freezeproof, and designed for tough environments such as underwater or winter conditions.
  • Builds confidence for outdoor adventurers, snorkelers, and travelers needing durable gear.

• Sony RX100 V:

  • No official weather sealing or environmental protection.
  • Mostly suited for controlled or urban environments; users should consider protective accessories or careful handling outdoors.

Performance in Key Photography Genres

Here, I contrast their real-world performance across major photography applications.

Portrait Photography

• Skin tones: The RX100 V offers finer control with a larger sensor and superior color depth (22.8 bits DxO measurement), producing nuanced skin tone gradations without harsh clipping. TS5’s smaller sensor and compression yield flatter, less detailed results.
• Bokeh and background separation: RX100 V’s fast f/1.8 aperture at wide focal length allows creamy background blur ideal for portraits, unobtainable with the TS5’s narrower apertures.
• Eye detection AF: Only available on the RX100 V, markedly improving focus on eyes for sharper portraits.

Landscape Photography

• Dynamic range and resolution: RX100 V’s considerably higher dynamic range (~12.4 EV) ensures preservation of detail in extreme highlights and shadows, essential for landscape photographers capturing complex lighting. Higher 20 MP resolution allows significant cropping and large prints.
• Weather resistance: TS5’s ruggedness outshines RX100 V, performing reliably in rain, snow, and dusty environments.
• Limitations: The RX100 V’s shorter focal length top end limits reach for certain distant landscapes, whereas TS5 has longer reach but lower resolution.

Wildlife Photography

• Continuous shooting: RX100 V excels with 24 fps burst mode, facilitating fast action capture; TS5 offers 10 fps, respectable but less competitive.
• Autofocus tracking: RX100 V’s hybrid system with 315 points practically guarantees precise focus lock on erratic subjects; TS5’s contrast AF lags.
• Lens reach: TS5’s 128 mm telephoto equivalent has an edge for moderate wildlife shooting but is eclipsed by RX100 V’s superior AF and speed in actual use.

Sports Photography

• RX100 V again dominates with advanced AF tracking and faster burst rates, appropriate shutter controls (up to 1/2000s mechanical shutter, 1/32000s electronic shutter), and exposure modes including shutter and aperture priority.
• The TS5’s slower AF and limited shutter speed range reduce viability for fast sports shots.

Street Photography

• Discreteness: TS5 is slightly bulkier but less conspicuous with a rugged look; RX100 V is more stealthy due to its size and silent electronic shutter options.
• Low light: RX100 V offers better high ISO performance and faster lens, preferable for night street shooting.
• Portability: Both are pocketable but RX100 V feels more elegant in urban settings.

Macro Photography

• Both cameras have a 5 cm close focus distance, but RX100 V benefits from superior sensor resolution and image quality, delivering better detail rendition.
• Stabilization in both helps handheld macro shooting, but RX100 V’s optical steady shot performs slightly better.

Night and Astrophotography

• RX100 V’s large sensor, high ISO performance, and long exposure capabilities (up to 30s shutter speed) greatly surpass TS5, enabling clear starfield shots with less noise.
• TS5 lacks manual exposure modes tailored to astrophotography and exhibits noisy images at high ISO.

Video Capabilities

• Panasonic TS5: Full HD 1920×1080 at 60/30 fps in AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, optical stabilization, but no external microphone port or 4K.
• Sony RX100 V: Quad HD 4K (3840×2160) at 30 fps with excellent detail and the option of slow-motion Full HD at higher frame rates, audio in Linear PCM, but no mic/headphone jack. Optical steady shot aids handheld video smoothness.

For casual content creators, TS5’s simpler video specs suffice, but RX100 V serves professionals seeking quality 4K footage in a compact body.

Travel Photography

• TS5’s ruggedness and GPS make it perfectly suited for active travelers needing reliable imaging under physically demanding conditions.
• RX100 V, though less durable, provides superior imagery, control, and video sophistication, favoring travelers prioritizing image quality and lightweight versatility.

Professional Workflow Compatibility

• RX100 V supports RAW image capture, enabling post-processing flexibility indispensable for professional workflows; TS5 only produces JPEG output.
• RX100 V offers exposure bracketing for HDR workflows, absent on TS5.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

• Panasonic TS5: Rated for approx. 370 shots per charge, slightly above average for compacts, supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and including internal storage.
• Sony RX100 V: Approximately 220 shots per charge; supports SD and Memory Stick Pro cards. The RX100 V’s higher performance hardware consumes more power.

For prolonged outdoor use without charging access, the TS5’s superior battery life is beneficial.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Both cameras offer built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for wireless image transfer and remote control via smartphones.

• TS5 includes integrated GPS with geotagging benefits for travel and outdoor use.
• RX100 V omits GPS but offers compatible mobile apps for enhanced timelapse and video controls.

Price-to-Performance Ratio

• TS5 typically retails around $350, making it an affordable rugged compact ideal for outdoor enthusiasts on a budget.
• RX100 V commands approximately $1000, reflecting its advanced feature set, large sensor, and professional capabilities.

Panasonic TS5 front Panasonic TS5 screen back Sony RX100 V front Sony RX100 V screen back

The sample images vividly evidence RX100 V’s superior sharpness, dynamic range, and color accuracy. The TS5’s images are serviceable for social media and casual use but can’t rival the RX100 V’s quality especially under challenging conditions.

In broad performance metrics such as image quality, autofocus, speed, and versatility, the Sony RX100 V leads decisively, though the Panasonic TS5 excels in ruggedness, battery endurance, and simplicity.

Performance across disciplines highlights RX100 V’s dominance in portrait, wildlife, sports, landscape, and video, while TS5 shines in underwater and harsh weather environments.

Summary and Recommendations

Who Should Choose the Panasonic Lumix TS5?

• Adventure seekers who require a compact camera that withstands water (up to 15m), shocks, dust, and freezing temperatures.
• Casual photographers desiring an all-in-one snapshot device without fuss, comfortable with JPEG-only output and moderate image quality.
• Budget-conscious buyers seeking reliable battery life and GPS tagging for travel logging.

Strengths: Ruggedness, extended telephoto reach, battery life, affordability.
Drawbacks: Small sensor, limited manual controls, lack of RAW support, basic autofocus.

Who Should Invest in the Sony RX100 V?

• Photography enthusiasts and professionals looking for a comprehensive compact solution combining high image quality and advanced manual controls.
• Users prioritizing low-light capability, rapid tracking autofocus, portrait excellence including eye detection, and high-quality 4K video.
• Travellers and street photographers valuing image quality, portability, and EVF-assisted composition.

Strengths: Large 1-inch sensor with 20 MP resolution, fast versatile lens, hybrid autofocus system, wide dynamic range, RAW compatibility, 4K video.
Drawbacks: Higher price, shorter battery life, lack of environmental sealing.

Final Thoughts

While at first glance the Panasonic TS5 and Sony RX100 V might seem to compete in the same compact camera arena, they decidedly serve different photographic missions. The TS5’s ruggedness and durability cater to active users needing hardy gear, whereas the RX100 V acts as a powerful creative tool for demanding photographers requiring portability without sacrificing image and video quality.

Choosing between them depends heavily on prioritizing durability and field-readiness versus photographic excellence and control. Evaluating your photographic interests, shooting environments, and budget will guide optimal selection. For casual outdoor use and adventures with a keen price point, the TS5 is a reliable partner. For spot-on autofocus, superior image quality, and professional-grade features in a pocketable format, the RX100 V remains a market leader.

With these nuanced insights and first-hand evaluation metrics in hand, photographers can confidently match their next compact camera to their artistic aspirations and lifestyle needs.