• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GX850 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)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    347k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper 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
    114 vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus TG-5 advantages over Panasonic GX850

  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 9.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 9.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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 GX850

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-5

Review Excerpt

  • Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.

  • No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GM5
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup
Olympus TG-5
Panasonic GM5
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GF7
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Olympus TG-5
Panasonic GF7
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Panasonic GX850
Olympus TG-4
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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

Compared to Olympus TG-6

Panasonic GX850
Olympus TG-6
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-6
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Olympus E-PL10

Panasonic GX850
Olympus E-PL10
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Olympus TG-5
Olympus E-PL10
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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