Olympus Tough TG-5 Review | 108 Data compared

The Olympus Tough TG-5 is identified as the premier rugged compact camera for adventurers, featuring a durable, waterproof design and a high-performance "microscope" macro mode. Key advantages include RAW file capture for better dynamic range, fast responsiveness, and excellent handling, making it superior to smartphones in harsh environments. However, the camera's small sensor introduces noise even at low ISO settings, limiting image quality for high-end printing. Additionally, the rugged exterior is prone to trapping sand around the screen and port doors, requiring regular cleaning.

The Olympus Tough TG-5 is designated as an Editors' Choice, offering exceptional durability with capabilities for 7-foot drops, 50-foot water submersion, and freezing conditions, all while featuring a bright f/2.0 lens and 4K video recording. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, this 12-megapixel camera includes robust macro features, high-speed 20fps shooting, and built-in GPS/Wi-Fi for detailed environmental logging. Despite these strengths, the camera is limited by a lower 12MP resolution and a 460k-dot rear LCD screen that lacks touch capability and scratch resistance. Furthermore, it carries a higher price point compared to previous models, lacks full manual exposure controls, and applies a crop factor during 4K video capture.

The Olympus Tough TG-5 delivers excellent, bright, and punchy colors with reliable exposure, effective flash, and good skin tones. While the Backlight HDR mode effectively manages high-contrast scenes, the camera produces somewhat soft images with visible sharpening halos at default settings. Additionally, moderate, built-in noise suppression is present even at base ISO, often causing fine details to appear smudged in areas of subtle contrast. For the full performance analysis, visit ePHOTOzine.

The Olympus TG-5 is an affordable, ultra-rugged compact camera highly praised for its exceptional macro and video capabilities, making it ideal for underwater photographers on a budget. It features a 12MP sensor optimized for low-light performance, 4K video recording, and a native Microscope Mode that allows focusing as close as 1cm with up to 7x optical magnification without needing an external lens. The camera is waterproof down to 50 feet on its own, freeze-proof, and crushproof, which also serves as a safety net against accidental underwater housing floods. Users can easily expand its versatility by attaching wide-angle or macro wet lenses underwater, and it integrates well with third-party strobes via optical TTL. However, the camera has notable limitations, including a small 1/2.3" sensor and lower image quality when compared to pricier 1-inch sensor competitors like the Sony RX100 V or Canon G7X Mark II. It lacks full manual controls, forcing users to shoot in Aperture Priority mode to maintain depth-of-field control. Additionally, video resolution drops to 1080p when shooting in Microscope Mode, and the internal flash suffers from a slow...

The Photo Review evaluation highlights the Olympus Tough TG-5 as a top-tier, waterproof camera (up to 15 metres) featuring a 12-megapixel sensor, TruePic VIII processor, and RAW support. It excels in low-light, offers 4K video, and includes extensive tracking sensors, making it ideal for rugged, active use. However, the camera is a significant investment with a high price point and lacks a full manual mode. Additional considerations include a fixed rear LCD that is susceptible to scratches, though the device effectively prevents internal condensation.

The Olympus TG-5 is highly praised as an exceptionally rugged, waterproof point-and-shoot camera well-suited for demanding environments like kayaking and paddle boarding. The reviewer notes that its custom self-timer is a standout feature for solo adventurers, allowing precise control over delays, frames, and intervals to capture high-quality photos instead of low-resolution video stills. Additionally, an unmarked top-right dial functions perfectly as an exposure compensation (EV Comp) dial, which is deemed vital for getting the right exposure without extra hassle. The camera also features built-in GPS, elevation logging, and a compass that remain accessible even when the unit is powered off. Its durability is proven through extreme real-world mishaps, including surviving a 30mph tumble onto a hard desert road and fully recovering after being submerged in a stream bed for several minutes without proper maintenance. However, the camera does come with notable drawbacks, including a baffling and complex menu system and text on the LCD screen that is quite small and hard to read. Image quality can be limited, as the tiny zoom lens tucked into the inch-thick body struggles to...

The Olympus TG-5 is highlighted as a significant upgrade to its predecessor, primarily due to its all-new 12-megapixel CMOS sensor and TruePic VIII processor, which together deliver sharper images and improved low-light performance. One of its standout features remains the Microscope Mode, offering an industry-leading reproduction ratio for super macro photography without the need for external accessory lenses. The camera also introduces 4K video at 30p and high-speed 1080p at 120p for slow-motion effects, alongside advanced tools like focus peaking, manual focus, and highlight/shadow warnings that cater to more experienced photographers. The review details several pros, including its snappy autofocus, 20fps burst shooting, and the Pro Capture Mode, which buffers images to help catch action moments that might otherwise be missed. The addition of a manual flash option and a contextual top control dial further enhances its usability in the field. However, there are notable cons: 4K and high-speed video are restricted to the dedicated Movie Mode—meaning 4K is unavailable in Microscope Mode—and users cannot execute a custom white balance while in Movie Mode. Despite these limitations, the TG-5 is...

The Olympus Tough TG-5 is a highly rugged, go-anywhere compact camera designed for outdoor enthusiasts, earning praise as a top pick in the waterproof category. Built for speed and reliability, it features a 12MP image sensor optimized for low-light capture, a quick 0.1-second focus lock, and 20fps burst shooting in Raw format. Its standout physical attributes include a wide-aperture f/2 lens, exceptional Microscope macro capabilities focusing nearly flush with the glass, and an ultra-durable chassis waterproof up to 50 feet, shockproof from 7-foot drops, and freeze-proof down to 14°F. Furthermore, it integrates a built-in GPS with a dedicated Log tracking switch, Wi-Fi connectivity for smartphone remote control, and sharp 4K video recording at 30fps alongside impressive high-speed slow-motion video modes. Despite its stellar performance, the TG-5 has distinct shortfalls, beginning with its premium price tag of £419.99 ($449.99), which makes it noticeably more expensive than its predecessors. The camera also omits standard manual settings like Shutter priority and full Manual exposure modes, limiting advanced photographic control. While it introduces 4K video capabilities, the footage suffers from a forced crop that...

The Olympus Tough TG-5 is lauded by Trusted Reviews as a premier rugged camera, delivering superior image quality and robust, waterproof performance for extreme environments. Key advantages include its durable design, improved 4K video capabilities, and extensive environmental sensors, making it ideal for outdoor adventures. Conversely, the review notes the camera has a lower resolution screen and a shorter zoom range compared to competitors like the Nikon W300. Despite a higher price point, Trusted Reviews concludes the performance justifies the cost for serious, rugged use. Trusted Reviews

The Olympus TG-5 is a premium rugged compact camera that justifies its high price tag by offering advanced features well beyond its basic competition. It is an exceptionally durable tool built for extreme conditions, boastfully matching an unbreakable build quality with high-end shooting performance. The camera is waterproof down to 15 meters, freeze-proof to -10 degrees Celsius, crushproof up to 100 kilograms, and shockproof against drops from 2.1 meters. Additionally, it features a smart double-layer glass lens cover that prevents internal fogging during sudden temperature changes, all packaged within a sleek and understated design. The camera excels in image variety, delivering detailed 12MP JPEGs, rich 4K video capabilities, and standalone high-speed slow-motion recording at up to 240fps. Key pros include its great image quality in varied lighting, an impressive dedicated macro mode for crisp close-ups, RAW still support, and built-in environmental sensors like GPS and a compass. It also features an expandable design that supports optional accessories like a macro ring light or fisheye lens. On the downside, the cons include a limited 4x optical zoom reach and edge softening...

The Olympus Tough TG-5 is highlighted as a top 2017 gear choice for its blend of durability and improved 12MP sensor, which boosts low-light performance, alongside 4K video, 20 fps burst shooting, and a convenient micro-USB port. It is praised for its dedicated underwater mode and robust design. However, the review notes limitations, including an anti-fog lens coating that can still allow water droplets and a lens system with only three aperture settings that relies on a built-in ND filter. Additionally, it is acknowledged that the image quality is still constrained by the smaller sensor size compared to larger camera systems.