• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GX7 advantages over Olympus TG-5

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.54 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    346k 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
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 21 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus TG-5 advantages over Panasonic GX7

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 54 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    15 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX7

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-5

Review Excerpt

  • Sharp retro design and solid build; High resolution, tiltable electronic viewfinder and LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Very good video quality, recording Full HD at frame rates up to 60p; Fast autofocusing and all-around performance; Robust Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities, including remote shooting when paired with a smart device

  • Weak built-in flash; No external mic or headphone jack for video recording; Some poor results when shooting in Creative Panorama mode

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M5
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus TG-5
Olympus E-M5
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Waterproof
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M10
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
Olympus TG-5
Olympus E-M10
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
Olympus TG-5
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Panasonic GX7
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
Olympus TG-5
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter

Compared to Olympus TG-6

Panasonic GX7
Olympus TG-6
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $444
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-6
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $444
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Newer
Compare Other Cameras?