olympus tg 5 waterproof camera with 3 inch lcd free sample

Built for adventure. Designed to bring back amazing looking souvenirs. The Tough TG-5 is packed with pro features that help you nail bright, crisp outdoor shots even in challenging conditions. You’ll find imaging firepower that’s optimized for shooting action like a fast F2.0 Olympus lens, high-resolution RAW stills, and spectacular Ultra HD 4K video. Action Track Sensors record location, temperature, direction, and altitude data that bring your images and video to life. As with all Tough cameras, it’s waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof, and dustproof. No other camera handles so much abuse while producing stunning photography like the TG-5.

Whether you’re shooting on a rafting trip or in a snowboard park, you’re focused on getting awesome shots. Your camera should take care of itself. The TG-5 does – no protective housing needed. It’s waterproof to 50 ft (15 m), crushproof up to 220 lbf (100 kgf), and shockproof from 7 ft (2.1 m). It’s dustproof and works great even at a bone-chilling 14°F (-10°C). When you’re on the go, temperatures can change quickly. That’s why the TG-5’s lens is equipped with Anti-Fog Dual Pane Protective Glass to stop moisture from getting in. We’ve even designed the knobs and buttons for easy operation while you’re wearing heavy gloves.

The TG-5"s ergonomic design features an Accessory Lock to secure optional lenses and other accessories. The waterproof TCON-T01 Teleconverter Lens boosts the TG-5’s optical zoom to nearly 7x, while the waterproof FCON-T01 Fisheye Converter Lens produces distinctive ultra-wide photos. Shoot evenly lit macro shots with help from the LG-1 Light Guide and waterproof FD-1 Flash Diffuser. Keep your TG-5 conveniently strapped to a backpack or chest harness using the CSCH-123 Sport Holder, and dive deeper – up to 147 feet (45 meters) – using the PT-058 Underwater Housing.

Whether you’re shooting on a rafting trip or in a snowboard park, you’re focused on getting awesome shots. Your camera should take care of itself. The TG-5 does – no protective housing needed. It’s waterproof to 50 ft (15 m), crushproof up to 220 lbf (100 kgf), and shockproof from 7 ft (2.1 m). It’s dustproof and works great even at a bone-chilling 14°F (-10°C). When you’re on the go, temperatures can change quickly. That’s why the TG-5’s lens is equipped with Anti-Fog Dual Pane Protective Glass to stop moisture from getting in. We’ve even designed the knobs and buttons for easy operation while you’re wearing heavy gloves.

These days, the rugged, waterproof segment of the camera market is one of the few areas in which there"s a good reason for buying a standalone compact camera. Over the last decade since Apple wowed us with its first iPhone, followed in short order by Google"s Android, smartphones have demolished the rest of the compact market. But despite their clear strengths in portability, connectivity and performance, many smartphones aren"t waterproof and even fewer are ruggedized. And even if it"s built like a tank, you probably don"t want to risk such an expensive device -- and one which touches on so many areas of your life -- as your smartphone.

But while the "take it anywhere" advantage of a compact ruggedized, waterproof camera over a smartphone is obvious, there hasn"t been such a clear box ticked in the image quality department. Thanks to some big improvements made in smartphone cameras over the last few years coupled with the stagnation of the compact camera market right as it reached the peak of its ill-advised lust for the mighty megapixel, smartphones and compacts have been much of a muchness in terms of the end results.

With the TOUGH TG-5, Olympus aims to change all of that by taking the rugged, waterproof camera upmarket. In the process, it"s had to bump the price up a little, but at US$450 or thereabouts, the TG-5 is still quite reasonable and certainly more affordable than all but the most basic of unlocked smartphones. And it promises a big step forwards in image quality thanks to the pairing of three important bits of kit.

And just like that of the earlier TG-4, it"s impressively solid, said to be able to withstand 220 pounds (100 kg) of crushing force, is waterproof to 50 feet (15 m), and capable of surviving a drop from seven feet (2.1 m) onto an unspecified surface. It"s also dustproof and freezeproof to 14°F (-10°C), and now sports a dual-pane cover glass over the lens to help avoid it fogging up when the temperature suddenly changes.

The Olympus TG-5 performs as expected in the print quality department given the relatively small sensor. A very good 13 x 19 inch print can be attained while shooting at base ISO, and this is a nice feat in general for a rugged waterproof camera. And yet if you intend to print 8 x 10"s you will for sure want to remain at ISO 400 and below, as anything higher will simply not yield good results while printing at 8 x 10 inches. Given the larger pixels courtesy of the move back to 12 megapixels from 16MP in the TG-4, we"d hoped for better high ISO performance as compared to the predecessor, but the sensor size really limits the performance potential above ISO 400, regardless of the slight increase in pixel size.

From the dual viewpoints of features and performance, the TG-5 is arguably one of the best rugged, waterproof cameras currently available.  Olympus has reduced the resolution to a sensible 12 megapixels, which is appropriate for the 1/2.3-inch sensor, and the availability of a 4K movie setting is a decided plus.

Announced in mid-May 2017, the Olympus Tough TG-5 is the latest in a string of popular underwater cameras and probably the most versatile compact camera available today at a competitive price. Olympus has reduced the resolution to a sensible 12 megapixels, which is appropriate for the 1/2.3-inch sensor and the TG-5 includes features that will appeal to both snapshooters and photo enthusiasts. Available in black or red, it can fit snugly into a pocket and is waterproof to 15 metres.

Anyone looking for a tough waterproof  camera that is versatile enough for general use will find the TG-5 meets most of their requirements.   On the ‘tough’ front, as well as being waterproof to 15 metres, it is dustproof rated to JIS/IEC protection class 6, freezeproof to -10℃, crushproof to 100 kgf (kilogram-force/square centimetre) and shockproof enough to withstand a drop of 2.1 metres.

From the dual viewpoints of features and performance, the TG-5 is arguably one of the best rugged, waterproof cameras currently available.  Olympus has reduced the resolution to a sensible 12 megapixels, which is appropriate for the 1/2.3-inch sensor, and the availability of a 4K movie setting is a decided plus.

Tough capabilities: Waterproof to 15m Equivalent to JIS/IEC protection class 8 (IPX8); dustproof equivalent to JIS/IEC protection class 6, freezeproof to -10℃, crushproof to 100 kgf, shockproof to 2.1 metres

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 22, 2019 – Olympus expands rugged and underwater shooting capabilities with the new Olympus Tough TG-6, a compact digital camera with reliable Tough performance for shooting anytime and anywhere. It features a blazing fast, wide-angle f/2.01 lens, back-lit high-speed CMOS sensor and powerful TruePicTM VIII image processor, providing the ability to capture stills and video with brilliant color and stunning detail. The Tough TG-6 is waterproof to a depth of 50 feet (15m)2, dustproof3, shockproof to 7 feet (2.4m)4, crushproof to 100 kgf5, freezeproof to 14oF (-10°C)6, and features a dual-pane protective glass construction for superb anti-fogging performance. Its Variable Macro System goes beyond the limits of the eye with ultra-close-up shooting up to 1cm from the front of the lens7. Full- featured underwater shooting modes and a new fisheye converter lens that supports circular fisheye photography are available for the Tough TG-6, along with a full lineup of other accessories for expanded shooting possibilities, making this truly the strongest field camera available.

Sealing throughout the entire camera body and double-lock construction on the camera battery cover are designed to provide waterproof performance to a depth of 50 feet for underwater shooting and excellent dustproof capabilities for use in dirty and dusty locations. Its floating construction protects the inside of the camera, clearing drop tests up to seven feet, and the reinforced body withstands loads up to 100 kgf. The Tough TG-6 is also freezeproof down to 14oF, and the nitrogen-filled, hermetically sealed dual-pane protective glass construction prevents condensation and fogging for reliable shooting even in locations with severe temperature fluctuations.

Switch display magnification ratios with the press of a single button similar to switching microscope objective lenses for observing and photographing subjects at 1x, 2x, and 4x. When the subject is 1 cm from the front of the lens while using this mode, the image on the rear LCD monitor can zoom in up to 44.4x.

The new rear LCD monitor now features a 1.04 million-pixel high-definition resolution for improved visibility. The brightness and color saturation are optimally tuned for use outdoors.

Waterproof performance is JIS/IEC protection class 8 (IPX8) equivalent. All measurements are according to Olympus testing conditions, and do not guarantee protection from damage or malfunction under all conditions

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]

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.

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.

Robust, waterproof, frost-proof and handy, the Olympus Tough TG-5 is the ideal camera for the water and winter sports enthusiast who does not want to do without an extensively equipped camera with many photo and video functions as well as GPS and WLAN connectivity and wireless flash control. The remote control functions via a smart device are convincing and the focus stacking mode also delivers very good results. The resolution is very good for a 12 megapixel camera, but unfortunately edge blur and chromatic aberrations are visible in the wide-angle range. Up to ISO 400, image noise and loss of detail are negligible. Only beyond that does the noise increase and the detail rendition decrease. The camera’s backlight sensitivity can cause problems in certain situations, but these can be avoided by the photographer.

At present, no manufacturer can manage the balancing act between an affordable, robust and waterproof compact camera with zoom and very good image quality. Unfortunately, the Tough TG-5 from Olympus is no exception. In return, the camera impresses with its comprehensive equipment and versatile photographic functions. In addition, nothing stands in the way of upgrading the camera to a “real” underwater camera thanks to an optional housing and a wirelessly controllable underwater flash unit.

The Olympus TOUGH TG-5 is the latest in the company’s massively popular line of rugged waterproof compacts. Olympus launched the Tough brand back in 2009, but it wasn’t until the TOUGH TG-1 in 2012 that people really started to take notice. Now, the TOUGH range is highly respected among outdoor adventurers and the brand that other manufacturers look to emulate.

The TG-5 was launched in May 2017 replacing the two year old TG-4. As before, it’s waterproof to a depth of 15 metres, can withstand a drop from 2.1 metres, is freezeproof down to -10C, crushproof to 100Kg and dustproof. It retains the older model’s 4x optical zoom with an equivalent range of 25-100mm but updates the sensor, swapping the earlier 16 Megapixel chip for a 12 Megapixel one, a welcome move which should result in better noise performance and overall image quality, not to mention an increase in the sensitivity range to 12,800 ISO. The new sensor is paired with the same TruePic VIII processor used in the company’s flagship mirrorless model, the OMD EM1 Mk II.

The TG-5 isn’t the only new rugged waterproof camera to be released this year, in January 2107 Fujifilm announced the FinePix XP120. With a 5x optical zoom and a 16.4 Megapixel sensor, the XP120 is waterproof to a depth of 20 meters, freezeproof to -10C and shockproof from 1.75m. It’s around half the price of the TOUGH TG-5 but lacks some of its sophistication and features such as built-in GPS and thermometer, 4K movies and RAW shooting. Read on to see which is the best rugged waterproof compact for you.

The TOUGH TG-5 is the fifth generation TOUGH model to make use of the 4x 25-100mm equivalent f2.0 – 4.9 zoom lens. Ordinarily that would be a stretch, compact manufacturers tend to introduce new zooms with every two generations and sometimes even more frequently, but waterproof cameras are different and there are two reasons Olympus has stuck with the lens it introduced on the TOUGH TG-1 back in 2012.

The first is that because of the limited space inside an enclosed waterproof housing it’s technically difficult to make a zoom lens longer than 4x so, even if manufacturers wanted to, there’s no way they can gain a competitive advantage by extending the zoom. That said, if you’re looking for a longer range the FinePix XP120 has a 5x optical zoom with a range of 28 – 140mm equivalent but with a less bright f3.9 – 4.9 aperture. The TOUGH TG-870 also squeezes in a 5x optical zoom, again with a less bright f3.5 – 5.7 aperture.

Which brings us to the second reason. The TOUGH TG-5’s maximum aperture at the wide angle setting is f2.0 which is unusually bright for a waterproof compact. This gives it a big advantage when shooting underwater and in other low-light environments because it means the you can shoot with a faster shutter speed or a lower ISO sensitivity than other less well endowed cameras. For example if you were shooting the same scene with the TOUGH TG5 and FinePix XP120, you’d be able to shoot at 100 ISO on the TOUGH TG-5 but you’d need 400 ISO on the XP120.

A large part of the shooting experience with a rugged waterproof model like the TOUGH TG-5 centres around the ergonomics. It doesn’t matter how many features a camera has, if they’re difficult to access they won’t get used. This of course applies to all cameras but even more so with rugged waterproofs, when you’re often taking pictures in challenging environments.

I’m happy to report that the TOUGH TG-5 does very well in this respect. It not only looks good, but has been thoughtfully designed with a great manual control layout. Sure, the mode and control dials could be a little bigger, but let’s not forget that it’s unusual to have these on a waterproof compact at all, on the FinePix XP120 you’ll need to rely on the four-way controller and menus for these functions.

The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a compact camera with a 12Mp 1/2.33-inch sensor. What makes it special is that it’s built to survive being dropped from 2.1m, crushed by 100kg, frozen down to -10°C and being taken 15m below water without a housing. That waterproofing also means it’s dust-proof so you can use it on the beach and not worry if you drop it.

To maintain the waterproofing, the doors over the battery/memory card port and cable connection have dual locks. This means you have to flick the small latch open then flick open the larger lock to open the door. It takes a bit of force to close the doors properly so they can be locked. Opening and closing the doors is a nail-splitting procedure but it keeps everything safe.

I used the Olympus Tough TG-6 is heavy rain and sunny conditions, and everything in between, as well as in a river. I’d summarise the results as being good for a waterproof compact camera.

The Olympus Tough TG-820 is a successor of the TG-810, launched last year. Despite the fact that both cameras divide just 11 months in the new model there are plenty of changes. First of all the producers gave up the 14-Mpix CCD sensor and implemented a CMOS BSI 12 Mpix sensor instead. Also the image processing engine was changed – now in the Olympus you can find the one called TruePic VI. As a result the camera offers us a wider ISO range (100–6400), a Full HD 1080p movie recording mode and a faster burst mode which, according to the specifications, allows you to reach the speed up to 5 fps. The new Tough was also equipped with a better LCD screen which diagonal amounts still to 3 inches but its resolution increased to over 1 million points. The casing has been redesigned as well – although still very similar to that of the predecessor, allowing you to submerge the camera to a depth of 10 meters, it differs in several details and the button layout.

A week of intensive usage by and large didn’t leave any significant wear and tear marks on the Olympus’s casing. Only on the LCD protective window you could notice some small scratches and their number increased every day.

The autofocus of the tested Tough is fast and accurate – we didn’t encounter any major problems with focusing in the photo mode and file saving on the memory card was very quick. The LCD screen should be praised as well, it works very well against bright sunlight. The image you see is always clear and contrasting and the 3-inch diagonal and high resolution only make it better – our impressions were very positive.

The Olympus Tough line is known as one of the top budget underwater compact camera lines on the market. These cameras are waterproof, they can handle a beating, maintain great image quality, and are sold at a very reasonable price point. The Olympus TG-6 is no exception.

Before the review the Olympus TG-6, let"s talk about its predecessor. The Olympus TG-5 waterproof camera has been the go-to camera for compact and macro underwater photographers since its release in May, 2017. Two years later, the underwater photographic community has been itching for an upgrade. After all, who doesn’t want an even better version of an already amazing camera? But the May, 2019 release of the Olympus TG-6 and Olympus TG-6 underwater housing has been met with mixed reviews. Overall, the "upgrade" appears to be a firmware update with a few surface changes to the camera and a good PR campaign. So if you have the Olympus TG-5, you may want to wait for the TG-7 before you upgrade.

Although the Olympus TG-6 has few significant upgrades from the TG-5, there are still some things worth talking about - notably an improved LCD, underwater white balance modes, 4K macro video, and changes to the program and aperture priorirty modes.

The resolution of the back LCD screen has been improved significantly - from 460 K dots on the TG-5 to 1.04 million dots on the TG-6. Although this won"t result in any changes to your images, it can help make image review an easier affair. Personally, I review images quite a lot when I shoot with the Olympus Tough series underwater. It"s essential for making sure I got proper focus and exposure on each shot. So I welcome the change.

It is waterproof to 50 ft, so if you wish to take photos in the range of normal recreational scuba diving depths, it’s recommended to purchase an underwater housing.

Isotta offers a top notch housing for the Olympus TG-5 and TG-6. The housing is made from high-quality thermo-coated & anticordal aluminum. It includes a back window to take advantage of the TG-6"s high resolution LCD, and a flatport with an M67 thread for wet lenses. The housing also features