• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic TS4 advantages over Olympus TG-860

  • More telephoto lens reach
    128 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus TG-860 advantages over Panasonic TS4

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    21 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/2000 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Waterproof
    Both provide
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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 TS4

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-860

Review Excerpt

  • Goes deeper than most cameras; Built-in GPS, altimeter, and barometer; Full HD video capability; Good battery life.

  • Won't serve as an "everywhere" camera; Lens soft at all but wide-angle setting; Button icons hard to read; Disappointing print quality.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Panasonic TS4
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
Olympus TG-860
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS2

Panasonic TS4
Panasonic DMC-TS2
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Manual focus
Olympus TG-860
Panasonic DMC-TS2
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Panasonic TS5

Panasonic TS4
Panasonic TS5
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer exposure
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus TG-860
Panasonic TS5
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Panasonic TS4
Olympus TG-850
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus TG-860
Olympus TG-850
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compared to Olympus TG-870

Panasonic TS4
Olympus TG-870
  • $192
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus TG-860
Olympus TG-870
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
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