• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic TS4 advantages over Sony WX500

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.53 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 35 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony WX500 advantages over Panasonic TS4

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 128 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/2000 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic TS4
Panasonic TS4

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Buy the Sony WX500
Sony WX500 (Black)
  • Sony WX500 (Black)
  • Sony WX500 (White)
All WX500 Deals

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.

  • Read our Panasonic TS4 Express Review

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

Compare Panasonic TS4 vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Sony WX500
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Sony WX500 vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

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

Compare Panasonic TS4 vs Panasonic DMC-TS2

Sony WX500
Panasonic DMC-TS2
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Thinner

Compare Sony WX500 vs Panasonic DMC-TS2

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

Compare Panasonic TS4 vs Panasonic TS5

Sony WX500
Panasonic TS5
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Sony WX500 vs Panasonic TS5

Compared to Sony HX90V

Panasonic TS4
Sony HX90V
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic TS4 vs Sony HX90V

Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX90V

Compared to Sony HX80

Panasonic TS4
Sony HX80
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic TS4 vs Sony HX80

Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX80

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