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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-5

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Released September 2012
Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Released May 2017
  • Old Model is Olympus TG-4
  • Replacement is Olympus TG-6
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-5 Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Olympus E-PL5 versus Olympus TG-5, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are produced by Olympus. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL5 (16MP) and TG-5 (12MP) and the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and TG-5 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL5 was released 5 years before the TG-5 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-PL5 grades against the TG-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus TG-5

 E-PL5 TG-5 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Olympus E-PL5

 TG-5 E-PL5 
ReleasedMay 2017September 2012More modern by 56 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus TG-5

 E-PL5 TG-5 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-5 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL5 offers exterior dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Olympus TG-5 has specifications of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL5 versus Olympus TG-5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the E-PL5 versus the TG-5.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and TG-5 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by seeing a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL5 and TG-5.

Clearly, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL5 due to its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-PL5 will show more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-PL5 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography information
Olympus TG-5 Portrait photography information
71
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
39
manual focus
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography details
Olympus TG-5 Street photography details
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than others (250 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography factors
Olympus TG-5 Sports photography factors
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect auto focus
46
fast shooting (20.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery (340 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus TG-5 as a Travel photography camera
75
provides focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
screen is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse mode
68
better than average battery (340 per charge)
weather proof
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than others (250 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography features
Olympus TG-5 Landscape photography features
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
no Time Lapse mode
57
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery (340 CIPA)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging advice
Olympus TG-5 Vlogging advice
78
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
no external mic support
34
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than others (250 grams)
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus TG-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus TG-5
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Olympus Tough TG-5
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Olympus Tough TG-5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Released 2012-09-17 2017-05-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325 grams (0.72 pounds) 250 grams (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 889 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 images 340 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible)
Card slots One One
Price at launch $400 $449