• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic TS5 advantages over Sony RX100 IV

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • More telephoto lens reach
    128 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 280 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    213g vs 295g
    Lighter weight

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Panasonic TS5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.33 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
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    16.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    40 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 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

  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

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Buy the Panasonic TS5

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Buy the Sony RX100 IV

Review Excerpt

  • 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.

  • Vastly improved burst speeds with deep buffer; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video; Same great pocket-friendly design.

  • Pricey for a compact camera; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer as much telephoto reach; Battery life not as good as predecessor; 24-70mm-equivalent lens can feel limiting.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-850
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony RX100 IV
Olympus TG-850
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Panasonic TS5
Sony RX100 III
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 III
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $748
  • 1 inch

Compared to Panasonic TS6

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS6
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
Sony RX100 IV
Panasonic TS6
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Olympus TG-860

Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-860
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony RX100 IV
Olympus TG-860
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Panasonic TS5
Sony RX100 V
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 V
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Faster JPEG shooting
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