• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic TS30 advantages over YI M1

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    144g vs 280g
    Lighter weight

YI M1 advantages over Panasonic TS30

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.34 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 1.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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 TS30

Your purchases support this site

Buy the YI M1
Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-40mm & 42.5mm lenses (Silver)

Review Excerpt

  • Cheap as chips (and with a kit lens!); Quality Sony Exmor Four Thirds sensor; Widely-supported Micro Four Thirds lens mount; Good image quality from raw files; Reasonable burst performance for price; 4K video capture.

  • Poor ergonomics; Controls too easily bumped; Frustrating user interface; Mediocre JPEG image quality; Heavy-handed noise reduction; Unreliable white balance; No raw+JPEG; Buffer is almost nonexistent; Focus confirmation beep happens while still focusing; AF is poor in low light; Laggy user interface in playback; Extreme crop for 4K video; Kit lenses feel cheap; No bundled flash.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic TS20

Panasonic TS30
Panasonic TS20
  • $168
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer exposure
  • $119
  • 1/2.33 inch
YI M1
Panasonic TS20
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $119
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Olympus TG-620

Panasonic TS30
Olympus TG-620
  • $168
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
YI M1
Olympus TG-620
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Olympus TG-630

Panasonic TS30
Olympus TG-630
  • $168
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More pixels
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
YI M1
Olympus TG-630
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Panasonic TS30
Olympus E-PL6
  • $168
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
YI M1
Olympus E-PL6
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Panasonic TS30
Panasonic GX850
  • $168
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
YI M1
Panasonic GX850
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
Compare Other Cameras?