• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic TS5 advantages over Olympus E-PL6

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • 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
  • 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 38 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    213g vs 325g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Olympus E-PL6 advantages over Panasonic TS5

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Higher-res screen
    205k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL6
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

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.

  • Read our Panasonic TS5 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic GF5
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL6
Panasonic GF5
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic GF5

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

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus TG-850

Olympus E-PL6
Olympus TG-850
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Olympus TG-850

Compared to Panasonic TS6

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS6
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Panasonic TS6

Olympus E-PL6
Panasonic TS6
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic TS6

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

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus TG-860

Olympus E-PL6
Olympus TG-860
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Olympus TG-860

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic GF7
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Panasonic GF7

Olympus E-PL6
Panasonic GF7
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic GF7

Compare Other Cameras?