• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic ZS50 advantages over Olympus TG-860

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Olympus TG-860 advantages over Panasonic ZS50

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    21 mm vs 24 mm
    Capture more of the scene

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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 ZS50
Panasonic ZS50 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS50 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS50 (Silver)
All ZS50 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-860
Olympus TG-860 (Orange)
  • Olympus TG-860 (Orange)
  • Olympus TG-860 (Black)
  • Olympus TG-860 (White)
All TG-860 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS40
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic ZS40

Olympus TG-860
Panasonic ZS40
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS40

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS35
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic ZS35

Olympus TG-860
Panasonic ZS35
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure

Compare Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS35

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Panasonic ZS50
Olympus TG-850
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Olympus TG-850

Olympus TG-860
Olympus TG-850
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus TG-860 vs Olympus TG-850

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Canon SX700 HS

Olympus TG-860
Canon SX700 HS
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus TG-860 vs Canon SX700 HS

Compared to Olympus TG-870

Panasonic ZS50
Olympus TG-870
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Olympus TG-870

Olympus TG-860
Olympus TG-870
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen

Compare Olympus TG-860 vs Olympus TG-870

Compare Other Cameras?