Olympus Olympus Tough TG-5

Aushiker

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Location
Fremantle, Western Australia
Name
Andrew
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Source: DP Review

I was a bit surprised that there appears to be no discussion of the forthcoming Olympus Tough TG-5 here given it has got a bit of mention in the MU43.com forums.

I am currently "using" a Panasonic LX100 as my serious compact (well it is in pieces at the moment as I try to put it back together after replacing the screen due to a small problem) but have never really got on with it.

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

Also my primary use for a serious compact is bikepacking (so out in all weather and conditions) where being able to cope with rain, coming off in the odd floodway, smashing on rocks etc is very handy.

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
 
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I dont expect a significant image quality improvement compared to the TG4. The fact that this can be charged with Micro USB (like every non-Apple smartphone and a growing number of other electronics) makes a major difference to me.

I refuse to buy electronics that can't be charged using micro USB (i could make an exception for usb-c as that's the future, but I refuse to deal with proprietary cables). In short, I'm very happy to finally see one of the more capable waterproof cameras fet this functionality. The extra grip and the extral dial are nice, too.
 
I dont expect a significant image quality improvement compared to the TG4. The fact that this can be charged with Micro USB (like every non-Apple smartphone and a growing number of other electronics) makes a major difference to me.

I was pretty sure the TG-4 [1] and I know the TG-5 can be charged via the USB port but the USB port on these cameras is USB8 and not a micro-USB port. Whilst I appreciate that the USB8 is not common, it is arguably a more robust connection means which maybe better given the intended use of the camera.

[1] A quick Google suggests USB8 port but would be happy to be corrected :).

As to the image quality; I would hope there is an improvement given the use of the latest processor. Of course may not be significant as you suggest. One or two TG-4 are popping up on eBay so might see how the pricing goes. Given my reality limited use of this sort of camera a good condition second hand unit might be the best option.

Just need to deal with the "want" versus "need" dilemma :)
 
The USB8 port is a pain in that you cant just use any old micro usb cable in a pinch but it is a lot sturdier than the typically flimsy micro usb connections... I've had multiple android devices fail to charge anymore because my kids were too rough on the usb port...

Back on topic though, the TG5 looks ok but the "update" wasn't enough of an upgrade to spike my interest... I'll be replacing my TG-870 with the new Sealife DC2000 when it dies of natural causes...

Maybe the TG6 will have something more to offer...?
 
I've had multiple android devices fail to charge anymore because my kids were too rough on the usb port...
Same here with different devices, didn't even take kids to mess them up. I never had any mini-USB connection die on me though; these connectors seem to be far more reliable, especially if high currents (>1A) are involved but unfortunately micro-USB has become the standard lately.
 
I'm mostly happy to have 1 standard that everybody except apple has settled on. I've had plenty of cables fail, but no devices that could no longer be charged (apart from a phone that was 3 years past its due date anyway). And if my charging cable fails in some middle of nowhere town in the jungle in some 3rd world country with more goats than people, i know i can get a micro usb cable. Usb8... not so much.
 
The USB8 port is a pain in that you cant just use any old micro usb cable in a pinch but it is a lot sturdier than the typically flimsy micro usb connections... I've had multiple android devices fail to charge anymore because my kids were too rough on the usb port...

I have used them in the past with the XZ-1 and of course the EM-5ii and E-M1 use them as well. A few low cost spares are a good option and of course remembering to take one or two on a road trip helps :).

A bit of a pain but not a deal breaker, at least for me.

Back on topic though, the TG5 looks ok but the "update" wasn't enough of an upgrade to spike my interest... I'll be replacing my TG-870 with the new Sealife DC2000 when it dies of natural causes...

I had a quick look after you mentioned it at MU43.com but I really don't need that level of waterproofness and I wasn't sure about the toughness aspect. Maybe I need to take a second look.
 
I had a quick look after you mentioned it at MU43.com but I really don't need that level of waterproofness and I wasn't sure about the toughness aspect. Maybe I need to take a second look.

The two big ticket things that sealed it for me was the sensor size and 18m waterproof without the housing... I'd probably still use the housing whenever I go snorkelling or out on a boat but for paddle boarding and fishing, just being able to slip a slim compact into your pants pocket and go is awesome... (y)

If Olympus brought out a TG with a Sony 1" sensor and a flip screen it would be my next UW camera...
 
If Olympus brought out a TG with a Sony 1" sensor and a flip screen it would be my next UW camera...

Without a doubt ... I am seriously thinking a TG-4 if I can get it a good price as an option until a tick all the boxes option comes out. I also remembered that I have a Panasonic DMC-FT-4 in my box of stuff to flog on eBay. Maybe I should drag it out and put it back into you use :)
 
I also remembered that I have a Panasonic DMC-FT-4 in my box of stuff to flog on eBay. Maybe I should drag it out and put it back into you use :)

I don't know how you use your tough cameras but if you plan on putting your FT-4 in the water, remember to have the gaskets replaced first. The makers of these cameras tell us to replace the gaskets every year, which can run into money. I wonder how many of us actually do it? I guess it depends on how many of us actually use our cameras underwater. I currently have a TG-870 and I use it simply as a camera I'm not afraid to break in rough conditions.
 
I think one should weigh the importance they are assigning to image quality and toughness/waterproofness.

Is the camera going to be one's MAIN camera or used mainly as a back-up in rough conditions. What is one willing to spend BASED on one's answer to the first question.

FOR ME, I find the IQ of ALL tough cameras to be a step-down enough that I am not interested in the latest and greatest. I simply will use my main camera unless the situation WARRANTS the tough camera....and at that point, the ultimate IQ matters a LOT less.....I'll just be happy with ANY shots I can get.

Again, everyone sets differing levels of importance to HOW tough the camera needs to be (or even how rough the situation needs to be before they'll leave behind the "main rig" (assuming that one isn't pleased enough with the tough camera of choice for it to BE the main rig).

I guess that's all a very long-winded way of saying......maybe I'd like to see what the TG-5 can do that all the various brand new discontinued tough cameras that can be found at around half it's price can't do. I have an old TG-850 that I bought as a discontinued model probably 4 years ago. For taking underwater or rock-climbing, I don't need to worry about it....and it is not the ultimate imaging machine, but it's more than good enough....it's nearly as good as my cel phone is now so I don't need to risk injuring that......LOL.

It would be fun to see a shootout between this new tough cam and some older models to see exactly what level of upgrade it would actually be.
 
ya know....that post of mine right above makes me sound like an old grumpus. I think maybe these kinds of cameras just aren't for me. Feel free to disregard just about everything I said if you like these kinds of cameras.
 
FOR ME, I find the IQ of ALL tough cameras to be a step-down enough that I am not interested in the latest and greatest. I simply will use my main camera unless the situation WARRANTS the tough camera....and at that point, the ultimate IQ matters a LOT less.....I'll just be happy with ANY shots I can get.

This applies to me as well. I picked up a refurbished TG-870 directly from Olympus at a very friendly price and it gets the job done just fine for my needs when hiking, rock climbing, snowmobiling, etc. But others have raised tough camera imaging to an art.
 
I'm debating which camera set-up to get for a future adventure. The set-ups I'm currently considering are basically:
- X100 for high quality + 1" compact for versatility + tough camera for toughness; or
- X100 for high quality + tough camera with enough IQ to be a versatile companion.

I'm not sure that the TG-5 has the IQ to be the only sidekick to the X100. And if a tough camera's only function is to be tough, you do have a valid point, Luke... although I think the raw shooting capability might save a bunch of shots that other tough cameras would not.
 
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