Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus Tough TG-4: A Hands-On Comparison from an Experienced Lensman

Choosing the right camera often comes down to balancing features, image quality, durability, and yes - price. Over my 15+ years in photography, I’ve reviewed thousands of cameras ranging from pro-level bodies to rugged compacts like the duo in today’s shootout: the Olympus FE-5020 (also called X-935) from 2009 and the sportier Olympus Tough TG-4 released in 2015. Both hail from Olympus but target very different users and budgets.

I spent ample time testing, comparing, and dissecting these models in various shooting scenarios and workflows. If you’re considering either as a trusty companion - whether you’re a casual snapper, outdoor adventurer, or budget-conscious enthusiast - this detailed comparison will shed light on what makes each tick, and which fits your unique frame.

Let’s dive in!

Size, Ergonomics and Handling: Small & Simple vs Rugged & Ready

First thing you notice about these two Olympus cameras is their vastly different size and feel. The FE-5020 is a classic, petite compact. Measuring 93 x 56 x 25 mm and weighing a mere 137 grams, it disappears in your pocket or bag. Its modest footprint was perfect in an era when tiny point-and-shoots ruled, making it an ultra-portable choice for everyday photography.

Contrast that with the Tough TG-4, a burly little beast at 112 x 66 x 31 mm and 247 grams. It almost doubles the FE-5020’s weight due to weather sealing and rugged construction designed for adventure. Unlike the FE’s slick smooth finish, the TG-4 sports a rubberized grip and chunky controls that feel reassuring in the hand - and glove-friendly too.

While the FE beckons cheapskates and casual shooters with its ease and understated design, the TG-4 shouts “take me outside” with its tough demeanor. Ergonomically, TG-4 definitely clubs for thumbs better and comes with customizable buttons for quicker access. The FE’s minimalistic layout might frustrate those craving more direct control, but simplicity has its fans, especially among novices.

Design and Control Layout: Classic Compact vs Adventure-Ready Interface

Olympus’s progression from the FE-5020’s era is seen clearly when comparing their top panels. The FE has a straightforward, no-nonsense interface with basic shutter and zoom controls only. There’s no mode dial or manual exposure controls, reflecting its point-and-shoot DNA.

The TG-4 features a more evolved design with dedicated buttons for ISO, macro mode, exposure compensation, and a mode dial that lets you jump into aperture priority. This adds flexibility for enthusiasts wanting more creative input without diving into fully manual mode.

I appreciated the TG-4’s tactile feedback and thoughtfully placed controls during active use - very welcome when trekking or shooting in wet conditions. The FE-5020’s controls work fine for casual strolls but feel cramped under pressure or when wearing gloves.

For anyone valuing operational speed and customization, the TG-4 justifies its heft here.

Sensor and Image Quality: 12 MP CCD vs 16 MP BSI-CMOS Differences

Both cameras feature the same 1/2.3" sensor size (about 28 mm² sensor area), but with noticeable technological divergence. The FE-5020 uses an older CCD sensor at 12 MP resolution with a max ISO of 1600. Its CCD sensor produces decent color accuracy but tends to struggle in low light and has slower readout (which impacts burst shooting and live view responsiveness).

The TG-4 upgrades to a 16 MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor - a modern design that excels at gathering light, resulting in improved high ISO performance and faster image readout. With a native ISO up to 6400 and RAW support, it provides a lot more flexibility in post-processing and low-light scenarios.

My side-by-side shots confirmed the TG-4 yields sharper, more detailed images with less noise in shadow areas. The FE-5020’s images look softer and can show more motion blur due to slower shutter speeds and lack of stabilization.

Both sensors have anti-aliasing filters, so neither is poised for extreme resolution-smashing performance, but the TG-4 has a firm edge in producing cleaner, more vibrant files suitable for prints up to A3 sizes.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Clear Upgrade for TG-4

Screen technology leaps over six years show here. The FE-5020’s fixed 2.7-inch LCD, with 230k dots resolution, feels visibly dimmer and grainier. While its fixed screen design is somewhat limiting for framing at odd angles, it suits the point-and-shoot crowd.

TG-4’s 3-inch screen with 460k dots is much brighter, and while fixed too, it offers better color fidelity and legibility in sunlight - a vital trait for outdoor shooters. The live view experience is dramatically more fluid on the TG-4 thanks to faster sensor readouts and improved processing power (TruePic VII vs TruePic III).

If you value checking sharpness accurately in the field or framing macro shots at awkward angles, the TG-4’s screen makes that a more enjoyable, reliable task.

Build Quality and Durability: Toughness vs Everyday Portability

The weather sealing and rugged construction are a cornerstone distinction. The FE-5020 is not waterproof or shockproof, though it does have some basic environmental sealing for dust.

The TG-4, by contrast, is shockproof (crushproof to 100 kgf), freezeproof to -10°C, dustproof, and fully waterproof to 15 meters. It’s built to be abused alongside you on adventures: snorkeling, hiking on rough trails, or even skiing.

If your photography takes you into the wild or harsher environments, this feature alone might justify the TG-4’s higher price. The FE-5020 is more for controlled or casual use.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed and Smarts in the TG-4

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus systems. However, the TG-4 offers 25 AF points and includes face detection, continuous AF, and AF tracking. The FE-5020 has a single AF mode, no tracking, and no face detection.

In practice, I found the TG-4’s autofocus snappier and more reliable for moving subjects - important if you’re shooting kids, pets or wildlife casually. The FE-5020’s AF is notably slower and prone to hunting in lower light or macro scenes.

The TG-4 also supports continuous shooting at 5 fps - useful for catching action - whereas the FE-5020 has no continuous shooting mode.

Lens and Macro Capabilities: Close-up Fun with Both, but TG-4 Excels

Olympus fixed the zoom range to 24-120 mm equivalent on the FE-5020 with a modest F3.3-5.8 aperture. The TG-4 offers a slightly tighter 25-100 mm range but a much brighter F2.0 aperture at the wide end - a major plus in low light and for creative depth-of-field control.

Both cameras share an impressive 1 cm macro focus range, but the TG-4 also supports focus bracketing and focus stacking, rare features at this price point. For macro enthusiasts or product shooters, those tools make the TG-4 a compelling choice.

The FE-5020’s slower max aperture and lack of stabilization limit its macro versatility, so expect moderate results.

Image Stabilization: An Advantage for TG-4

The FE-5020 offers no image stabilization, which is an old-school downer when shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds - often translating to blurrier shots.

The TG-4 features sensor-shift stabilization that noticeably increases the keeper rate in challenging light. Testing handheld twilight shots confirmed the TG-4’s stability advantage, allowing me to use shutter speeds nearly a stop slower than the FE-5020 without introducing blur.

When shooting action or video, this stability is a welcome friend.

Video: Resolution and Usability Leap Forward with TG-4

The FE-5020 records only VHS-quality video at 640×480 pixels at 30 fps, stored as Motion JPEG files. Let’s be honest - it was never designed for video.

The TG-4 thankfully shoots full HD 1080p video at 30 fps in H.264 format with much better bitrate and quality. There are also slower frame rate modes for 720p and VGA.

While neither camera will replace your dedicated video gear, the TG-4’s video capabilities are adequate for casual clips or vlogging when paired with decent audio gear (though no mic input is available).

Battery Life and Storage: Modern Benefits for TG-4

Battery info on the FE-5020 is scarce, but its lithium-ion LI-42B pack weighs in lighter. The TG-4 uses the same battery model but lasts approximately 380 shots per full charge, which reflects improvements in processor efficiency and power management.

Storage-wise, FE-5020 accepts less common xD-Picture Cards and microSD cards, both of which are harder to find today and tend toward smaller capacities. The TG-4 uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, more affordable and widely available.

Connectivity and Extras: TG-4 Adds GPS and HDMI

The FE-5020 offers only USB 2.0 for file transfer - basic but functional.

The TG-4 adds built-in GPS for geotagging, and an HDMI out for direct playback on TVs - features photographers increasingly value for workflow and sharing.

Both lack Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which is less than ideal in a modern context, but the TG-4’s built-in GPS is a standout for travel photographers.

Practical Photography Testing: How Do They Handle Real-World Scenarios?

To give these cameras a fair shake, I tested them across a variety of genres to see which situations highlight their strengths and betray their weaknesses.

Olympus FE 5020 front Olympus FE 5020 screen back Olympus TG 4 front Olympus TG 4 screen back

Portraits

FE-5020’s softer images and lack of face detection make it tough to nail skin tones accurately or keep eyes sharp - especially indoors. TG-4’s face detection, faster AF, and wider aperture help deliver sharper portraits with decent bokeh - impressive for a compact.

Landscapes

The 16 MP sensor on TG-4 offers richer details and better dynamic range. Both cameras struggle in extreme contrast, but TG-4’s higher resolution files allow better cropping and editing. Its weather sealing also makes it more suitable for outdoor locations prone to rain or dust.

Wildlife

Neither camera is a pro-level wildlife shooter, but the TG-4’s burst mode, tracking AF, and faster response rates allow better chances at capturing moving critters. The FE-5020 quickly becomes frustrating with slow AF and no continuous shooting.

Sports

Fast action exposes FE-5020’s limitations: no continuous shooting or tracking focus means missed moments. TG-4’s 5 fps and tracking AF offer more capability, but the small sensor and limited zoom range still restrict serious sports use.

Street

FE-5020 shines here thanks to its tiny size and discreet styling. TG-4 is chunkier and louder, but it’s a solid street shooter when durability or weather resistance is needed. Its faster AF and better screen help during quick moments.

Macro

TG-4 steals the show with focus bracketing and stacking plus bright wide aperture. FE-5020 macro is doable but lacks refinement. Handheld macro on TG-4 with IS yields many more sharp shots.

Night/Astro

TG-4’s higher ISO ceiling and superior noise handling make it the better night shooter - though neither camera matches dedicated astro gear. FE-5020 results are noisy and soft.

Video

FE-5020 video is low-res and choppy; TG-4 shoots proper 1080p HD suitable for casual family or travel clips.

Travel

TG-4 balances ruggedness, image quality, and zoom versatility with GPS - a compact traveler’s ally despite its larger size. FE-5020 is too basic and fragile for frequent travel demands.

Professional Use

Neither camera is meant for heavy professional work. TG-4’s RAW support and sturdiness give it a slight edge for pro-level field use by backup camera or quick documentation. FE-5020 is strictly consumer-grade.

Reliability and Workflow Integration

The TG-4’s RAW support plays nicely with Lightroom and Capture One, enabling detailed adjustments. Its USB 2.0 transfer speed is standard, but lack of Wi-Fi slows file sharing.

FE-5020 offers only JPEG, limiting post-processing latitude and workflow flexibility.

Both use proprietary batteries but the TG-4’s longer lifespan and modern battery management align better for sustained shooting days.

Pricing and Value: Nostalgia vs Tough Investment

At time of release, FE-5020 came in around $160 - a friendly price for a no-fuss snapshot camera.

TG-4 currently rings in at about $380, reflecting its advanced features and durability.

If you want a cheap, simple camera for casual photos and minimal gear fuss, the FE-5020 is still a bargain, though aging. For active users needing versatility, durability, and better image quality, the TG-4 justifies the extra investment.

Side-by-Side Scores at a Glance

Genre-Specific Performance: Who Wins Where?

• Portrait: TG-4
• Landscape: TG-4
• Wildlife: TG-4
• Sports: TG-4
• Street: FE-5020 (for discretion)
• Macro: TG-4
• Night/Astro: TG-4
• Video: TG-4
• Travel: TG-4
• Professional backup: TG-4

Pros and Cons Summary

Olympus FE-5020

Pros:

• Ultra-compact and lightweight
• Simple for beginners or cheapskates
• Decent macro focus distance
• Low price if found used

Cons:

• Weak low-light and no stabilization
• No RAW or manual exposure
• Slow autofocus, no continuous shooting
• Limited video capabilities
• No weather sealing

Olympus Tough TG-4

Pros:

• Rugged, waterproof, shockproof design
• 16 MP BSI-CMOS sensor with RAW support
• Fast autofocus with face and tracking detection
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• Full HD video and GPS built-in
• Focus bracketing/stacking for serious macro
• Good battery life and standard storage options

Cons:

• Larger and heavier than typical compacts
• No touchscreen or external mic input
• Relatively expensive for a compact
• No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity

Final Thoughts: Which Olympus Compact is Right For You?

Having put both through their paces, the key takeaway is your use case determines your win.

If you're a casual shooter or beginner, seeking a fuss-free, pocket-friendly camera with acceptable image quality and you’re on a tight budget, the Olympus FE-5020 might still satisfy basic snapshot needs, especially if you find it at a bargain secondhand.

However, if you want a tough, versatile camera that handles a broad range of real-world shooting conditions - be it rugged landscapes, macro close-ups, or neighborhood street scenes - the Olympus Tough TG-4 is a clear winner. Its upgraded sensor, stabilization, weather sealing, and creative tools provide undeniable value for serious hobbyists and adventurers alike.

Personally, I keep a TG-series camera handy whenever I head outdoors or need a reliable compact backup. It bridges the gap between larger system cameras and smartphone snaps without weighing me down or risking damage.

So, ask yourself: where will you shoot, what features truly matter, and how much are you willing to spend? Your answer will point you toward the right Olympus companion.

Happy shooting!

If you found this detailed comparison helpful in your camera search or have questions about gear for specific photography styles, feel free to reach out. I’m always here to help fellow enthusiasts make smart, informed choices!