• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PM1 advantages over Panasonic TS4

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.25 vs 0.41 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.3 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    9 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic TS4 advantages over Olympus E-PM1

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Olympus E-PM1

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Buy the Panasonic TS4
Panasonic TS4

Review Excerpt

  • Goes deeper than most cameras; Built-in GPS, altimeter, and barometer; Full HD video capability; Good battery life.

  • Won't serve as an "everywhere" camera; Lens soft at all but wide-angle setting; Button icons hard to read; Disappointing print quality.

  • Read our Panasonic TS4 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS2

Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic DMC-TS2
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic DMC-TS2

Panasonic TS4
Panasonic DMC-TS2
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic TS4 vs Panasonic DMC-TS2

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-PM1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic TS4
Olympus E-PL3
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic TS4 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic TS4
Panasonic GF3X
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic TS4 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic GF5
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF5

Panasonic TS4
Panasonic GF5
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic TS4 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Panasonic TS5

Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic TS5
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic TS5

Panasonic TS4
Panasonic TS5
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer exposure
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic TS4 vs Panasonic TS5

Compare Other Cameras?