• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Panasonic TS5 advantages over Olympus AIR

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 43 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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

Olympus AIR advantages over Panasonic TS5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    23 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • 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

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 TS5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus AIR

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.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic GM1
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus AIR
Panasonic GM1
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen

Compared to 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
Olympus AIR
Olympus TG-850
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Panasonic TS6

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS6
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
Olympus AIR
Panasonic TS6
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Olympus TG-860

Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-860
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus AIR
Olympus TG-860
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to YI M1

Panasonic TS5
YI M1
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus AIR
YI M1
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster shutter
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive
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