• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 8.3 megapixels
  • 15.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic TS5 advantages over Nikon 170

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    128 mm vs 15 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 345k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 8.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 1/2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon 170 advantages over Panasonic TS5

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.61 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/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    134g vs 213g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    15 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 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 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
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon 170
NIkon KeyMission 170

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.

  • Read our Panasonic TS5 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Nokia N8

Panasonic TS5
Nokia N8
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Nokia N8

Nikon 170
Nokia N8
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon 170 vs Nokia N8

Compared to Samsung Galaxy S II

Panasonic TS5
Samsung Galaxy S II
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Samsung Galaxy S II

Nikon 170
Samsung Galaxy S II
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon 170 vs Samsung Galaxy S II

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

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus TG-850

Nikon 170
Olympus TG-850
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon 170 vs Olympus TG-850

Compared to Panasonic TS6

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS6
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Panasonic TS6

Nikon 170
Panasonic TS6
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon 170 vs Panasonic TS6

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

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus TG-860

Nikon 170
Olympus TG-860
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon 170 vs Olympus TG-860

Compare Other Cameras?