Blog Olympus Tough TG-5 – The Ultimate Rugged Camera for Adventure Enthusiasts

Dive into the world of extreme photography with the Olympus Tough TG-5, a rugged waterproof camera that can withstand any outdoor challenge. From mountain climbs to underwater expeditions, this camera is built to endure harsh conditions and capture stunning images. Discover its impressive features and learn how it can take your outdoor photography to the next level.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus Tough TG-5 article cover photo

Key Features

May 17 2017

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor Type
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight250g
MSRP$449USD

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Olympus Tough TG-4 thumbnail

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Olympus Tough TG-6 thumbnail

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Overview of the Tough TG-5

Are you an adventure seeker looking for a camera that can keep up with your extreme lifestyle? Look no further than the Olympus Tough TG-5. This durable camera is designed to withstand even the toughest outdoor conditions, making it the perfect travel companion for any outdoor enthusiast. Whether you're rock climbing, hiking, swimming, or skiing, you can trust the Tough TG-5 to capture your unforgettable moments. So, what makes this camera stand out from the rest? Let's dive in and explore its features.

Olympus Tough TG-5 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus Tough TG-5 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Waterproof camera
Excellent image quality
Built-in GPS, compass, and Wi-Fi
High-speed performance
RAW shooting capability
Wide-angle lens
Good low-light performance
Easy to use controls
Temperature-resistant design
Compact and portable

Cons

Limited zoom range
No touchscreen display
Short battery life
Expensive compared to similar models
Limited video capabilities
Lacks a viewfinder
No manual focus ring
Limited customizability in settings
Not the most durable tough camera on the market
No support for external microphone

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus Tough TG-5

Weather sealed
Dimensions113 x 66 x 32mm
Weight250g
Thickness32mm
Weight
Min
Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Olympus Tough TG-5 camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Tough TG-5 is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Olympus Tough TG-5 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Olympus Tough TG-5 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Tough TG-5 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus Tough TG-5 has a 12MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Olympus Tough TG-5 has a native ISO range of 100 - 12800 which can be boosted to 100 - 12800. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

May 17 2017

Announced

100 - 12800

ISO Range

Sensor
Extended ISO100 - 12800
Max resolution4000 x 3000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Olympus Tough TG-5 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Tough TG-5 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera:

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible)
Battery Life340 shots
Battery ModelLI-92B
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus Tough TG-5 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Olympus Tough TG-5 uses the LI-92B model of battery pack. This is rated for 340 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Olympus Tough TG-5 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Olympus Tough TG-5 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Olympus Tough TG-5 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 25 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Olympus Tough TG-5?

The Olympus Tough TG-5 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Olympus Tough TG-5 weather sealed?

Yes the Tough TG-5 does have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus Tough TG-5 announced?

The Olympus Tough TG-5 was announced on May 17 2017

Does the Olympus Tough TG-5 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Tough TG-5 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Olympus Tough TG-5?

The Tough TG-5 has a native ISO range of 100-12800, which can be expanded to ISO 100-12800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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