• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Panasonic TS5

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 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.
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 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

Panasonic TS5 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
  • 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
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Panasonic GF5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic TS5

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.

  • 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 E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic TS5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 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
Panasonic TS5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 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
Panasonic TS5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Panasonic GF5
Olympus TG-850
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-850
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Panasonic TS6

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic TS6
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS6
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
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