Olympus Tough TG-870 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 / TZ80 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Compact · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Olympus Tough TG-870
51
WINNER
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Panasonic · Compact · 18 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 / TZ80
44
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus Tough TG-870 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 / TZ80 are fixed-lens compacts announced on the same day in 2016, and each suits a different owner. The TG-870 is the slimmer and lighter carry, measuring 28 mm deep against 38 mm and weighing 221 g against 282 g, a 61 g difference in the Olympus favour. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 6, 2016 | January 6, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 113 x 64 x 28 mm | 112 x 64 x 38 mm |
| Camera weight | 221 g | 282 g |
| Optics | 53/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe ZS60 is the stronger choice for action and heavy cropping. It shoots at up to 40 frames per second where the TG-870 reaches 7, and it has 49 autofocus points against a single point on the Olympus. That matters when you are tracking a running child or a pet. Its 18 megapixels also give you more pixels than the TG-870's 16 for trimming a distant subject. The sensors share a 1/2.3-inch CMOS format, and both cameras stabilise the image in-body, which helps handheld shots in fading light. Each also tops out at a 1/2000 second shutter speed. The TG-870 offers a higher standard ISO ceiling of 6400 against 3200, extended to 12800 against 6400, giving more sensitivity settings for dim interiors. The ZS60 alone adds an electronic viewfinder with 1,166,000 dots for composing in bright sunshine. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 18 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4896 x 3672 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
6.17 x 4.55 | 6.17 x 4.55 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 1/2.3” | 1/2.3” |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
7 fps045 | 40 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic VII | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
12530200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
12530200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
444080 | 444080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
200080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
10300 | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 116600009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe ZS60 is the camera to buy if video matters, because its maximum recording resolution is 4K while the TG-870 stops at Full HD. The extra resolution leaves more room to crop and stabilise a clip in editing, which is useful for travel footage you plan to reframe. Both cameras also support 60 fps frame rates and built-in timelapse modes, so sunset and cloud sequences are easy on either body. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD |  4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Features | 54/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFor outdoor shooting the TG-870 offers weather sealing, GPS and a flip screen. GPS tags each photo with a location, which is handy when you want to map a hike afterwards, and the flip screen frames waist-level shots or group self-portraits. The ZS60 answers with a touchscreen and a higher-resolution display, 1,040,000 dots against 921,000, so you can tap through menus, set focus by touch and see more detail in playback. Both cameras share useful everyday features: Wi-Fi for sending photos to a phone, a built-in flash, a 3-inch screen and live view. Neither supports an external flash or Bluetooth. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
✗ | ✗ |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 16/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and neither charges over USB, so you pack a separate charger either way. The ZS60's battery rating is 320 shots against 300 for the TG-870, a small edge rather than a decisive one for a day out. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | Li-50B | Lithium-ion |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
300 shots1505000 | 320 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Pick the Olympus Tough TG-870 if your photography happens outdoors in poor weather. It offers weather sealing, GPS to log where each photo was taken, and a flip screen for group shots and waist-level framing.
Pick the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 / TZ80 when your subjects move and your clips matter. Its 40 fps shooting, 49 autofocus points, 4K video and touchscreen handle sports, pets and travel footage more capably. On bright days its electronic viewfinder settles composing.