Olympus Tough TG-5

[Aushiker]

Source:DP Review

My primary use for a serious compact is bikepacking and bushwalking where being able to cope with rain, coming off in the odd floodway, smashing on rocks etc is very handy (I have cracked the screen on my Olympus XZ-1 in the past). My current serious compact is a Panasonic LX100 but it is in pieces due to a small repair issue


Panasonic LX100 Screen Problem by Andrew Priest (Aushiker), on Flickr

Hence the forthcoming TG-5 caught my interest ... a 1" or 4/3 sensor would have been nice but. I am also wondering if a second-hand TG-4 might be an option more so given the TG-5 is likely to have a AU$649 retail price.

Anyway any thoughts on the new TG-5 or comments from TG-4 users?

If nothing else it adds another option to the mix I guess.

[farefam]

$649 seems rather expensive as the image quality of these small tough cameras is a bit disappointing due to the angled lens path required and the very small sensor. I needed a waterproof tough camera for rafting (ended up buying a Lumix DMC-FT6 instead of the TG4), but if I wanted to only use a compact camera for my bushwalking or riding (instead of a DSLR) I'd seriously look at a non-tough compact with good optics, sensor and zoom and simply carry it around in a small Pelican style tough case. I expect you'll get significantly better image quality for less or similar money.

[wayno]

olympics optics are second to none, good build quality

[Aushiker]

Imagining Resources has published part one of its review of the TG-5 which includes sample images.

[lseries92]

A friend has a TG3 and it is an excellent camera. On a recent trip to WA we did a lot of snorkeling along the Ningaloo coast and the underwater shots it produced (especially when compared to me aging Sony TX30) were amazing. It may be expensive but it has a nice fast lens (f2.0) and an excellent set of features.

I would have bought one myself except that the TG3 does a poor job with its in camera panorama mode (a feature I use a bit and Sony seems to do faultlessly/quickly). I thought it was just the TG3 but I tried a TG4 with similar poor results. I am hoping the TG5 does this better (especially considering the processor upgrade in this new model) as I will probably get rid of my other cameras and just buy this one.

[wayno]

this review is quite good with some good sample images,

https://www.cameralabs.com/olympus-tough-tg5-review/

thanks for the post, it got me thinking.
the new tough has the same image processor in it as the top of the line olympus Em-1 MkII
living in wet NZ, the camera i'm most likely to carry around with me on local day walks is a waterproof camera, we get a lot of showers, so tend to pack a normal camera away, i can put a waterproof camera in a side pocket and not have to worry about it.
. you can connect it with a phone and view live from the phone and take pictures or video from the phone. 5x optical zoom is good on a compact camera and you can shoot in RAW...
So I decided to get one, its only just come into the country so havent used it yet.

[wayno]

I used the camera on a day walk and I'm impressed with the results. best compact 1/2.3 sensor camera i've used. even has a great macro. you have to watch the video on the new cameras. the default settings had a 2 minute 1080 video rack up 400meg, havent tried 4k, i dont want to deal with larger file sizes.

[bogholesbuckethats]

Thought I might add my 2 cents on the TG series.

I purchased the older TG-4 a few years back and was very happy with it. The macro mode is great and there are a number of nice features such as live exposure that allow you to capture star trails and other interesting long exposure shots. There are a number of accessories that can also be purchased in order to attach filters to the camera that come in handy.

I have since upgraded to a full frame mirrorless system but I will always have my TG-4 with me and still use it for underwater photography while diving.

As mentioned earlier you can also shoot in RAW and the liveview feature that pairs to a smartphone is an excellent replacement for a remote.

Overall its a great little camera and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good compact point and shoot.

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

Overall its a great little camera and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good compact point and shoot.

Have had mine for nearly a year and am also very happy. Being able to shoot RAW overcomes a lot (but not all) of the shortcomings of a compact, and being tough/small/light etc. makes it a pretty good tradeoff.

[Lamont]

Asking for an update on the 5 or the even new 6?
WFBW?
Doesn't seem to be much price difference between them.
Priorities are WP, Photo quality, and size. Not Video.
Cheers.
ps lost two cameras (both in NZ) to sodding water ingress and my 4/3 is too cumbersome these days.
I like the idea of carrying it on my shoulder strap and the 4X zoom might work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LK3CRrpxdo best comparison I found. Am a fan of an EVF (Pana) even a wee one for stability.

[wayno]

yeah my 5 is still going well.. its made to stand up to full immersion in water, has double catches on the doors that are perpendicular to each other so if one catch opens accidentally you still have a second catch holding the door shut that isnt likely to get brushed open with the first one opens...
i lost the shutter button at one stage not being careful enough pulling it out of my pocket the zoom lever got caught and it wrenched itself and the shutter button off.

[Lamont]

Thanks kindly Wayno. How well would you rate the pic quality in comparison to a smart phone? A noticeable step up?
Just reading the only real improvement of the 6 over the
five is the screen. Do you find it easy enough to see the screen in bright sunlight?

[wayno]

phone sensors are usually smaller, the 5 has an optical zoom that most phones don't have

[Lamont]

Yep no worries, but how would you rate the pic quality?
Have you used the raw images much?

[wayno]

dont do raw
i cant attach the full res file, too big

[Lamont]

Thanks very much. Looks good.