Olympus launches TG-5, a tough compact camera capable of 4K shooting

Dunja Đuđić

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Summer is coming, and it’s the right time for choosing the perfect camera for the adventures it brings. Olympus seems to have this in mind, so they’ve launched their latest rugged compact camera: Olympus TG-5. It’s water-, dust-, freeze, crush- and shockproof, able to withstand a variety of weather conditions and follow you wherever you may roam. At the same time, it’s capable of 4K video shooting and high-speed Full HD 1080p at 120 fps.

Other than being weather-sealed and resilient, Olympus TG-5 features a 12MP BSI CMOS sensor, which allows high image quality and better performance in low-light conditions. The TruePic VIII image processor helps reduce noise and expand the dynamic range of the image. It also provides 20 fps continuous shooting rate in raw, and as previously mentioned – the ability of 4K video recording and Full HD 1080p video at up to 120 fps.

The lens featured on Olympus TG-5 offer 4x optical zoom (35 mm equivalent of 25-100mm), with f/2 maximum aperture for better performance in low light. The camera also comes with built-in Wi-Fi and the Field Sensor System, which includes a GPS module, manometer, compass, and a temperature sensor.

Take a look at some of the key specs:

Key specs

  • Sensor Effective Resolution / Size

12 Megapixel BSI-CMOS 1/2.3

  • Processor

TruePic VIII™

  • Waterproof

50ft (15m) – IPX8

  • Shockproof

7ft (2.1m)

  • Crushproof

220lbf (100kgf)

  • Freezeproof

14°F (-10°C)

  • Dustproof

Yes – IP6X

  • Rear Monitor

3.0” LCD (460K Dots)

  • Video

4K 30p
4K Timelapse Video
FHD 120fps High Speed Video

  • Special Features

Action Track Sensor System, Zero-lag Pro Capture Mode, RAW Capture, Night Time Live Composite Mode, Microscope Modes

Tough Capabilities

  • Waterproof

IPX8 – Waterproof to depths of 50 ft / 15 m

  • Dustproof

IP6X

  • Freezeproof

Freezeproof to 14°F / -10°C

  • Crushproof

Crushproof to 220 lbf / 100 kgf

  • Shockproof

Shockproof from 7 ft / 2.1 m

  • Lens Cover Glass

Anti-fog dual pane

Lens / Shutter

  • Focal Length (35mm Equiv.)

4.5mm – 18mm (25mm – 100mm)

  • Aperture Range

f/2.0 (wide) – f/4.9 (tele)

  • Focus Range

Wide/Tele: 3.9in/10cm to infinity Super Macro Mode: 0.4in/1cm to infinity, focal length 30 – 100mm (equivalent)

  • Shutter Speed

1/2 – 1/2000 sec. (Night Scene, A mode: up to 4 sec.)

  • Optical Zoom

4x

  • Image Stabilization

2.5 EV* (Focal length set to 18mm. 35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 100mm) *Based on CIPA measurement conditions

Image Recording

  • Removable Memory Type

SD, SDHC*1, SDXC*1, Eye-Fi Card compatible*2
*1 UHS-I compatible
*2 Not compatible with Endless Memory

  • Recording Format

DCF2.0, Exif2.3

  • Internal Memory

55MB

  • Still Image FileFormat

RAW (12-bit lossless compression), JPEG, RAW+JPEG

  • Recording Image Size

[RAW] 4000 x 3000
[JPEG] 4000 x 3000 – 640 x 480

  • One Touch Tele-converter

x2 / x4*
*Microscope Control mode only

Video / Audio

  • Video File Format

MOV (MPEG-4AVC / H.264)

  • Video Modes

[MOV]
3840×2160 (4k) / 30p, 25p (Bit rate: Approx. 102 Mbps)
1920×1080 (FHD) / 30p, 25p / IPB (SF,F,N)
1920×1080 (FHD) / 60p, 50p / IPB (SF,F,N)
1280×720 (HD) / 30p,25p / IPB (SF,F,N)

60p: 59.94fps, 50p: 50.00fps, 30p: 29.97fps, 25p: 25.00fps

FHD IPB (SuperFine / 52Mbps, Fine / 30Mbps, Normal / 18Mbps)

HD IPB (SuperFine / 52Mbps, Fine / 30Mbps, Normal / 18Mbps)

*Frame rates may drop when particular Art Filters and Movie Effects are used.
*Speed Class 10 SD card is recommended for shooting movies.

*UHS-I Speed Class 3 SD card must be used for 4K video and high speed movie.

  • Maximum Video Recording Time

[MOV] Approx. 29 min

  • Art Filter for Movie

Yes
(Frame rates may drop when certain Art Filters are used)

  • Time Lapse Movie

[MOV]
3840×2160 (4K) / 5fps
1280×720 (HD) / 5fps, 10fps, 15fps, 30fps

  • High Speed Movie

1920×1080 (FHD) / 120fps
1280×720 (HD) / 240fps
640×360 (SD) / 480fps

  • Microphone

Built-in stereo microphone

  • Speaker

Built-in mono speaker

  • Live View Output via HDMI

Monitor Mode (outputs video and info display to a connected monitor)*
*Info display is not shown on the camera while recording

Connectivity / Power Requirements

  • WiFI

Built-in (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n)

  • Action Track Sensors

GPS (GLONASS, QZSS), compass, manometer, temperature sensor, accelerometer

  • PC Connectivity

USB 2.0 (Micro-B)

  • HDMI

Micro HDMI (Type D)

  • PictBridge Easy Print

Print reservation (DPOF), Direct print (PictBridge compatible)

  • Battery Type

LI-92B Li-ion battery

  • Battery Life

Approx. 340 images
Approx. 50 minute* video (under standard JEITA testing)
Approx. 110 minute video (when zoom and other operational functions are not used)
*When repeatedly recording at the maximum time of 29 minutes

You can read more detailed specs here. Olympus TG-5 is available for preorders and it comes in two colors, red and black. The price is $449 for the camera, and the shipping is expected to begin on July 3, 2017. You can also order an underwater housing if you want to increase the underwater depth rating to 147′, and it’s sold separately for $299.


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Dunja Đuđić

Dunja Đuđić

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

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2 responses to “Olympus launches TG-5, a tough compact camera capable of 4K shooting”

  1. Ignasi Jacob Avatar

    A compact SUV camera.

  2. Theuns Verwoerd Avatar

    Is it just me, or have they not upgraded the lens or sensor since the TG-2?