• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GX1 advantages over Olympus TG-5

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus TG-5 advantages over Panasonic GX1

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    8 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.17 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-5 (Black)
  • Olympus TG-5 (Black)
  • Olympus TG-5 (Red)
All TG-5 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Appealing design; Good grip; Very good image quality; Fast autofocus; Built-in Level Gauge.

  • Small rear buttons; Below-average battery life; Weak flash; Orange and yellow can have greenish cast in JPEGs; Shutter-induced motion blur with 14-42mm X Vario kit lens.

  • Read our Panasonic GX1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-P3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-P3

Olympus TG-5
Olympus E-P3
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Olympus TG-5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Waterproof
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GX1
Panasonic GF6
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic GF6

Olympus TG-5
Panasonic GF6
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic GF6

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Panasonic GX1
Olympus TG-4
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus TG-4

Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-4
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-4

Compared to Olympus TG-6

Panasonic GX1
Olympus TG-6
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus TG-6

Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-6
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-6

Compare Other Cameras?