• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus TG-820 advantages over Panasonic TS5

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.55 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More dots on screen
    1030k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/2000 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic TS5 advantages over Olympus TG-820

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.3 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Waterproof
    Both provide
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Olympus TG-820

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Buy the Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS5

Review Excerpt

  • Advanced Wi-Fi and Near-Field Communications for easy image sharing and even remote shooting (a first for a waterproof compact); Improved ruggedness; Manual exposure mode; Fast cycle times; 10fps continuous burst shooting at full resolution; Full 1080p HD video at up to 60p; Excellent battery life.

  • Mediocre still image quality; Slow startup; Slower-than-average autofocus; Choppy MP4 (most Web-friendly format) video quality.

  • Read our Panasonic TS5 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus TG-610

Olympus TG-820
Olympus TG-610
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-820 vs Olympus TG-610

Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-610
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus TG-610

Compared to Olympus TG-810

Olympus TG-820
Olympus TG-810
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-820 vs Olympus TG-810

Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-810
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus TG-810

Compared to Fujifilm XP170

Olympus TG-820
Fujifilm XP170
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-820 vs Fujifilm XP170

Panasonic TS5
Fujifilm XP170
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Fujifilm XP170

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Olympus TG-820
Olympus TG-850
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus TG-820 vs Olympus TG-850

Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-850
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus TG-850

Compared to Panasonic TS6

Olympus TG-820
Panasonic TS6
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Olympus TG-820 vs Panasonic TS6

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS6
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Panasonic TS6

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