• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • 18.00mm - 50.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic TS4 advantages over Nikon DL18-50

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • More telephoto lens reach
    128 mm vs 50 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 57 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    196g vs 365g
    Lighter weight

Nikon DL18-50 advantages over Panasonic TS4

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.36 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    18 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    120 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic TS4

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon DL18-50

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.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Panasonic TS4
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
Nikon DL18-50
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon SD970 IS

Panasonic TS4
Canon SD970 IS
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
Nikon DL18-50
Canon SD970 IS
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to 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
Nikon DL18-50
Panasonic DMC-TS2
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Pentax WG-1 GPS

Panasonic TS4
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
Nikon DL18-50
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to 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
Nikon DL18-50
Panasonic TS5
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Compare Other Cameras?