• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Olympus TG-1

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.55 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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.
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 610k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.32 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus TG-1 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Quality, grippable design; Bright and fast f/2.0 lens; Speedy autofocus, startup and shot-to-shot times; Built-in manometer and GPS.

  • Wide-angle photos typically underexposed; Moderate pincushion and barrel distortion; Muted colors; OLED monitor clips highlights.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus TG-1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
Olympus TG-1
Olympus E-PM1
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Olympus TG-1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus TG-2

Panasonic GF5
Olympus TG-2
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus TG-1
Olympus TG-2
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Pentax WG-3 GPS

Panasonic GF5
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus TG-1
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
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