• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus TG-630 advantages over Panasonic SZ8

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.55 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 1.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic SZ8 advantages over Olympus TG-630

  • Less expensive
    $170 vs $200 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.1 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    288 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S1200pj

Olympus TG-630
Nikon S1200pj
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $430
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-630 vs Nikon S1200pj

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S1200pj
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $430
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Nikon S1200pj

Compared to Fujifilm XP50

Olympus TG-630
Fujifilm XP50
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-630 vs Fujifilm XP50

Panasonic SZ8
Fujifilm XP50
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Fujifilm XP50

Compared to Olympus TG-620

Olympus TG-630
Olympus TG-620
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus TG-630 vs Olympus TG-620

Panasonic SZ8
Olympus TG-620
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Olympus TG-620

Compared to Nikon S6400

Olympus TG-630
Nikon S6400
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Olympus TG-630 vs Nikon S6400

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S6400
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Nikon S6400

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Olympus TG-630
Samsung WB50F
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Olympus TG-630 vs Samsung WB50F

Panasonic SZ8
Samsung WB50F
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung WB50F

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