• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic TS5 advantages over Olympus TG-6

  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    128 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus TG-6 advantages over Panasonic TS5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    5 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.15 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    27 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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

  • Waterproof
    Both provide
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic TS5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-6

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 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 TG-6
Olympus TG-850
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More pixels

Compared to Panasonic TS6

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS6
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
Olympus TG-6
Panasonic TS6
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

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 TG-6
Olympus TG-860
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More pixels

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-4
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • RAW file ability
Olympus TG-6
Olympus TG-4
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Olympus TG-5

Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-5
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus TG-6
Olympus TG-5
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
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