Olympus Tough TG5 Review: Waterproof and shockproof Olympus Tough TG-5 Reviewed

With the TG-5, Olympus introduces the fifth generation of the versatile Tough camera. Unlike other such cameras, Olympus offers a wide range of accessories, from macro lights to an underwater housing for greater diving depths. The back-illuminated CMOS sensor has a lower resolution for greater light sensitivity, which makes the lens, which is fast at wide angle F2.0, even more useful. Videos can now also be recorded in contemporary 4K resolution, and a double glass pane is used to prevent fogging of the lens.

Brief assessment

Pros

• Easy handling
• Extensive range of functions
• Wireless flash control
• Robust housing
• Up to ISO 400 quite good image quality

Cons

• Very tight shutter release
• Fiddly opening flaps
• Sensitive to backlighting

The Olympus Tough TG-5 is a camera that forgives the photographer even the most adverse conditions. Up to 15 meters diving depth, frost down to -10 degrees Celsius and a fall from a height of 2.1 meters, the camera can be put away. This makes it an ideal companion for water and winter sports enthusiasts and outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to the high-speed quadruple zoom and the TruPic VIII image processor, a rear-illuminated, 12 megapixel CMOS sensor does its job in the camera. This test report shows whether these three components meet the requirements and can provide high image quality.

We have already been able to subject the Olympus Tough TG-5 to a comprehensive test in practice, and with the test software. With the TG-5, Olympus combines sensible modifications with proven technology. The housing is still very robust: it is waterproof to 15 metres diving depth, shockproof to 2.1 metres drop height, break-proof to 100 kg load and frost-proof to -10 °C. New is the double glass lens front glass with anti-fog coating. This combination should result in less fogging, which occurs when changing from a cold to a warm environment with appropriate humidity. The lens also remains at its initial speed of F2.0, which is high for the outdoor camera segment, but deteriorates to F4.9 when zooming from 25 to 100 millimeters. An image stabilizer is also included.

The robust Olympus Tough TG-5 is waterproof up to 15 metres, dustproof, frost-proof down to -10 °C, drop-proof up to 2.1 metres and break-proof up to 100 kg. [Photo: Olympus]

In addition to the extended handle, the new dial on the top of the Olympus Tough TG-5 is designed to make it easier to operate. [Photo: Olympus]

The rear 7.6 cm screen of the Olympus Tough TG-5 has a resolution of just 460,000 pixels. [Photo: Olympus]

However, Olympus has reduced the resolution of the small 1/2.3″ image sensor with rear exposure from 16 to now 12 megapixels compared to the previous TG-4 model, which in return promises a higher light sensitivity of the correspondingly larger pixels. In addition, the TG-5 can now record videos in 4K resolution (instead of Full HD) at 30 frames per second and Full HD high-speed videos even at 120p and HD videos at 240p. There is one change in operation: the tap control function is no longer required. It allowed certain functions to be operated by tapping on the sides of the housing. Instead, there is now a larger handle, a minimally changed menu and a control wheel on the top of the camera, which should make it easier to use with gloves. The program selector wheel now has nine positions instead of eight.

Also on board are a GPS with electronic compass and pressure gauge as well as an independently activatable tracking or logger function. A new addition is a digital thermometer. In addition to Intelligent Auto, numerous scene modes, the Art Filters and the creative modes P and A (Program and Aperture Priority) are available for shooting, although Aperture Priority allows only three aperture settings (open aperture and one and four steps down). Landscape with portrait, children and candle are new in the scene mode programs, while the art filters Light Tone, Cross Process, Soft Sepia, Key Line, Watercolor, Vintage and Partial Color are new in the art filters. In addition, there are special programs, such as an underwater HDR mode or the Pro Capture mode known from the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, which helps to capture the right moment in unpredictable situations with high shooting rates even before the shutter release button is pressed.

For higher image quality, not only the sensor with its higher light sensitivity for better noise performance at up to ISO 12,800, but also the more powerful TruePic VIII image processor and the ability to select lower JPEG compression. Raw data can be additionally recorded as with the predecessor model. Three bit rates are now selectable in video mode, allowing the videographer to choose between small files and high quality. By the way, manual focusing is also possible, for which the TG-5 now offers a peaking function as an adjustment aid in addition to the focus magnifier.

The Olympus Tough TG-5 has a double protective glass with anti-fog coating in front of the lens. [Photo: Olympus]

The Olympus Tough TG-5’s wide angle F2.0 4x zoom covers a frame equivalent focal length range of 25-100 mm. The BSI CMOS sensor has a resolution of 12 megapixels and is capable of 4K video recording. [Photo: Olympus]

The Olympus Tough TG-5 is available in either black or red since the end of 2017, at a price of almost 480 euros. [Photo: Olympus]

On the rear display, which has a diagonal of 7.6 centimetres and a somewhat meagre 460,000 pixels, a grid can now be shown that not only helps with alignment (a digital spirit level is also available), but also with the golden ratio. For macro photographers, the camera offers four special modes with shooting distances of 30 to one centimetre, some of which, however, use the digital zoom for a higher magnification. With the help of Focus-Stacking the focus range can be extended, the Focus-Bracketing function takes a focus bracketing series shot from which the image with the appropriate focus can be selected or which can also be used for Focus-Stacking on a PC with the appropriate software.

Thanks to WLAN, the images can be transmitted wirelessly to mobile devices. With the corresponding app (OI.Share) for Android and iOS, the TG-5 can also be remotely triggered, with or without live image transmission. The TG-5 is also compatible with the App OI.Track. A new feature is the transmission of a live image via the Micro HDMI connection. The replaceable lithium-ion battery, which by the way should be sufficient for a stately 380 pictures according to CIPA standard, can be charged via micro-USB cable, a corresponding mains adapter is included with the camera. Those who want to charge an exchangeable battery externally have to buy a respective charging cradle.

With the optionally available PT-058 underwater housing, the Olympus Tough TG-5 can even dive to a depth of 45 metres. The PT-058 underwater housing extends the diving capability of the Olympus Tough TG-5 from 15 to 45 meters water depth. [Photo: Olympus ]

As accessories, we have for example the macro light LG-1, the macro flash diffuser FD-1, the fisheye converter FCON-T01, the teleconverter TCON-T01 or the underwater housing PT-058 suitable for diving down to 45 meters. To protect the camera, Olympus offers the CSCH-121 neoprene bag and the CSCH-126 silicone bag. The Sport Holder CSCH-121 is designed for attaching the camera during mountaineering or other action-packed sports. The snap hook allows the attachment for example to a backpack, the spiral cable should provide maximum flexibility. In addition, the CSCH-107 is a hard case with a snap hook. The floating hand strap CHS-09 prevents the camera from sinking and can be easily recognized in the water thanks to the red signal colour.

Ergonomics and Workmanship

The design of the camera makes it clear that it can be exposed to the elements. The housing of the Tough TG-5 weighs 250 grams more than a small compact camera when ready for operation. This is mainly due to the robust and well processed case, the slightly offset GPS antenna and the trigger on the top of the case. A ring around the lens serves as a cover for a bayonet on which accessories can be mounted. Thanks to the waterproofness of the camera to 15 meters diving depth, the camera is waterproof for underwater scene depiction. The disadvantage is that Olympus has fitted the two existing flaps on the housing with a locking switch for the opening mechanism. Unfortunately, this lock switch is quite small, so that you should have fingernails, so that it is easier to open or close it.

The housing of the Olympus Tough TG-5 also makes it clear from the design that this camera is actually tough…….. [Photo: Olympus]

The controls on the back of the camera are well proportioned, unless the camera is to be operated with gloves, in which case the controls are too small and operation becomes fiddly. The tripod thread is made of plastic and is slightly offset to the optical axis of the camera. The operating concept provides for three levels. The first level is the mode dial, on which the desired operating mode is selected. On the second operating level, depending on the selected operating mode, image parameters such as resolution, image format, ISO sensitivity and much more can be set. To let you know which parameters you are currently changing in the quick menu, they are displayed on the right-hand side of the monitor and can be selected with the directional buttons. Use the “right” and “left” directional buttons to select the desired setting, which is displayed at the bottom of the monitor, and confirm with the middle “OK” button. The menu as the third and deepest operating level is in most cases only required for basic settings and for activating special functions. Rather unusual in this class is the rotary wheel next to the shutter release. This allows quick adjustments. The settings that can be changed with it depend on the operating mode used.

In addition, the TG-5 has a dedicated “video button” that allows you to record video in 1080p without switching the operating mode. However, for 4K video mode, the mode dial must be turned to the video mode. Just as unusual as the upper rotary wheel is the mechanical switch, also located on the upper side of the housing, for activating the GPS module, which can thus be switched on for logging purposes even when the camera is switched off.

The zoom function of the TG-5 covers a range of 4.8 – 18 millimetres, which corresponds to a 35 mm equivalent focal length of 25 to 100 millimetres. The zoom is operated by a ring switch on the shutter release and unfortunately only knows one speed. As in the previous models, the lens does not extend on the TG-5. Thanks to the mounting bayonet covered by the ring, optical converters like the FCON-T01 fisheye converter or the TCON-T01 teleconverter can be mounted. However, this also requires the CLA-T01 mounting ring. In front of the lens itself there is a small glass pane, which has to be cleaned more often due to the missing protective cap or curtain. For the first time, this is a double glazing which, together with the anti-fogging coating, is intended to prevent fogging, which occurs especially when changing from cold to warm environments with the corresponding humidity. An optical image stabilizer (sensor shift) is available as well as an electronic image stabilizer. However, the optical image stabilizer is only used in photo mode and the electronic image stabilizer only in video mode.

The ring around the lens of the TG-5 can be easily removed thanks to a bayonet lock, making room for an optionally available attachment lens adapter. [Photo: Olympus]

A stereo microphone is available as well as a 7.6-centimetre LCD screen with a resolution of only 460,000 pixels and two different grid lines that can be superimposed, a live histogram and a digital two-axis spirit level. The camera has two cover flaps. While the battery compartment and the memory card slot for SDHC or SDXC memory cards are concealed under the larger of the two flaps on the underside of the camera, the micro HDMI and micro USB ports are available for use under the smaller flap on the left side of the housing. Unfortunately, the battery does not have a fuse for the direction in which it must be inserted. Only arrows show at the battery and a little bit hidden in the battery compartment how the battery has to be pushed around. Charging is done via a USB charger supplied. This can also be used as a continuous current connection with the battery inserted.

Equipment

The focus of the camera is clearly on outdoor and action. So there are four recording programs to choose from.. Other scene modes available include programs for people, landscape, night landscape, movement and indoor shots. In addition, there are special programs for macro photography, which are significantly enhanced by a focus stacking function. The manual focus is interesting, with a focus peaking function with adjustable colors as an adjustment aid. You also do not have to do without a GPS logging function. However, the power consumption of this function should not be underestimated, as it is active even when the camera is turned off. This can be remedied, for example, by a power bank connected via USB to support the power supply. Thanks to the mechanical switch, the GPS function can also be switched on and off quickly and easily to save power. In addition to the GPS function, the TG-5 has a compass, a pressure gauge and a temperature display.

The “Pro Capture” function is designed to help you capture the right moment. To do this, the camera takes pictures before the actual shutter release and writes them to the memory card. The convenient panorama function helps the photographer with a target point and automatic release. The macro mode includes an interesting feature called focus stacking to extend the range of focus in macro shooting. To do this, the camera takes a series of focus shots and computes these images directly with each other so that the final image has an enlarged focus area. If you want to make this calculation in an external software, you can also use only the focus shot series without processing the images in the camera.

Olympus TG-5 Data sheet