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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Introduced May 2017
  • Old Model is Olympus TG-4
  • Newer Model is Olympus TG-6
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Waterproof and they are both created by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the TG-5 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and TG-5 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was announced 6 years earlier than the TG-5 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-PM1 grades vs the TG-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus TG-5

 E-PM1 TG-5 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Olympus E-PM1

 TG-5 E-PM1 
IntroducedMay 2017November 2011More modern by 66 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus TG-5

 E-PM1 TG-5 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 enjoys exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Olympus TG-5 has proportions of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM1 against the TG-5.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and TG-5 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by checking out specs. The image here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and TG-5.

All in all, each of these cameras provide the same MP but not the same sensor sizes. The E-PM1 features the larger sensor which is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier. The more aged E-PM1 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
Portrait photography with Olympus TG-5
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
39
manual focus
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
Street photography with Olympus TG-5
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (250g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus TG-5 as a Sports photography camera
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
no phase detect auto focus
46
fast shooting (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery pack (340 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
Travel photography with Olympus TG-5
45
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
68
good battery pack (340 CIPA)
weather sealing
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than average in class (250 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography details
Olympus TG-5 Landscape photography details
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
missing Time Lapse function
57
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
good battery pack (340 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging highlights
Olympus TG-5 Vlogging highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic support
34
rather wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (250g)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus TG-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus TG-5
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Olympus Tough TG-5
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus Tough TG-5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Revealed 2011-11-23 2017-05-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI 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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash options 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265g (0.58 lbs) 250g (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 340 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible)
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $499 $449