Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5: An In-Depth Comparison for the Savvy Photographer

In a world flooded with cameras boasting endless features and specs, sometimes the right choice comes down to knowing what you truly need - and what you can live without. Today, we pit two very different cameras against each other: the rugged Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 (aka mju Tough 6000), launched back in 2009, and the more modern, entry-level mirrorless Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 from 2012. While these might seem upside-down to compare - a compact rugged vs. an interchangeable-lens mirrorless - each has carved out its niche. Let’s dive deep, armchair-style, to find out how they differ, where each shines, and who should consider them. Spoiler alert: the differences run deeper than just price tags.

Looking at These Cameras Side-by-Side: Size, Build, and Handling

Before we get into physics-defying specs, ergonomics matter. How a camera feels in the hand can make or break your shooting experience - trust me, I’ve shot with enough bricks and teeny-tinies to know.

The Olympus 6000 is a compact marvel designed to survive abuse. At a mere 95 x 63 x 22 mm and tipping the scales at just 179 grams, it’s something you'd happily toss in your hiking pack or beach bag without second thoughts. It’s also environmentally sealed - while it’s not waterproof or crushproof, it does offer a bit of splash and dust protection, which, back in 2009, was pretty cutting edge for a compact.

The Panasonic G5, on the other hand, is a robust SLR-style mirrorless measuring 120 x 83 x 71 mm and weighing 396 grams (with battery). It’s double the weight and size of the Olympus, offering a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) interchangeable lens mount and a much more substantial grip and heft that serious shooters appreciate for handheld stability.

If you crave knuckle-bashing adventure-ready gear you can never worry about, Olympus leans rugged and pocket-friendly. For those wanting the feel of a DSLR-like device that demands more deliberate handling, the Panasonic fits the bill.

Let’s peek from the top down to see the control layouts:

The G5 sports a traditional layout with dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a mode dial, plus a fully articulating touchscreen LCD - ideal for live-view shooting and video. Contrarily, the Olympus keeps it very simple - fixed screen, limited buttons, no dedicated exposure controls or manual modes.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

I often say a camera’s soul is its sensor. Olympus’s little Tough 6000 houses a 1/2.3" CCD sensor, measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm and delivering 10 megapixels. That’s small, especially compared to modern sensors, and CCD tech is aging - generally yielding higher noise at ISO above 400, limited dynamic range, and a bit slower operation.

Panasonic’s G5, conversely, boasts a Four Thirds CMOS sensor sized 17.3 x 13 mm - more than 7x larger sensor area than the Olympus’s. Its sensor resolution of 16 megapixels is higher and paired with more advanced processor tech (Venus Engine VII FHD), yielding better dynamic range, color depth, and low-light performance.

Real-world testing confirms these expectations. The Panasonic G5's image quality is readily superior - sharper details, more punchy colors, and vastly better ISO performance, thanks to the larger sensor and CMOS tech. The small Olympus sensor struggles in anything but bright daylight. Low-light shots get noisy quickly, and dynamic range is limited, giving you less headroom when shooting scenes with bright highlights and deep shadows.

If your photography demands the best possible image quality and sizing matters less, the G5 wins hands down. But if you want a camera that’s dead easy and ready to go for casual snapshots (while being shock and weather resistant), Olympus might still charm you.

Screens and Viewfinders: What You See is What You Get?

The Olympus 6000 sports a modest 2.7-inch fixed LCD with a resolution of 230k dots - not the clearest or most bright display. And there’s no viewfinder at all, so composing in bright sunlight can be a challenge.

The G5 boasts a modern 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen LCD at 920k dots and, importantly, a bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1440k dots and 100% coverage for precise composition.

From my experience, the Panasonic’s screen and EVF combo make it vastly more versatile - especially for video or shooting at tricky angles. The touchscreen interface adds quick control over focus points and settings, speeding up your workflow.

In comparison, the Olympus’s minimal screen has you squinting a bit and relying on basic menus - fine if you just want point-and-shoot functionality but limited otherwise.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed Matters in the Real World

Autofocus (AF) performance is critical, especially when capturing fast-moving subjects like wildlife or sports.

Olympus’s Tough 6000 employs contrast-detection AF with no face detection, a single focus mode (no continuous AF), and limited focusing capabilities. There's no tracking or multi-area focus. Speed? Slow, sluggish by modern standards, but acceptable for still-life or casual snapshots. It only supports single AF, so moving subjects are tough.

Panasonic’s G5 offers a more advanced contrast-detection AF system with 23 focus points, face detection, and both continuous and single AF modes - with tracking ability. It also supports touch-to-focus, letting you pick a subject on the LCD.

The G5 can shoot at a burst rate of 6 fps, suitable for entry-level sports photography. The Olympus has no continuous shooting mode, limiting quick action capture.

For wildlife or sports fans, I’ve found the G5’s autofocus sharp and reliable in good light - though not as fast as a high-end DSLR, it’s more than adequate for casual sport or nature shoots. The Olympus’s AF performance means carefully picked moments - less spontaneous.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Fixed Lens vs. Micro Four Thirds System

One crucial difference: the Olympus 6000 has a fixed 28-102mm equivalent zoom lens (F3.5-5.1). It’s relatively versatile for a compact but no optical zoom to rival interchangeable lens cameras.

The Panasonic G5’s Micro Four Thirds mount opens a world of possibilities with 107 lens options from wide fisheye to super-telephoto, macro, primes, and prosumer zooms. These lenses are competitively priced and proven for quality.

If you want maximum versatility, the G5 is a clear choice. The Olympus’s lens is convenient but can’t replace specialized optics for portraits, wildlife, or macro work.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Who Wins the Battle of the Elements?

Remember that splash-proof claim for Olympus? The Tough 6000 offers environmental sealing that resists splashes and light dust, making it suitable for hikes, beach days, or casual adventure where ruggedness is essential.

Panasonic G5 lacks weather sealing and is more vulnerable to moisture or dust - it demands careful handling.

If you routinely shoot in harsh or unpredictable environments, the Olympus is your rugged companion. The Panasonic needs a bit more TLC or protective housing.

Battery Life and Storage: The Power to Shoot All Day?

Battery life is a decisive factor, especially when traveling or shooting for hours.

Olympus specs don’t list an official battery life, but compact cameras of this era generally managed a few hundred shots per charge with proprietary batteries; it uses rechargeable lithium-ion cells.

The Panasonic G5 comes in with a solid estimated 320 shots per battery charge - typical for mirrorless, thanks to a bigger battery and more efficient system.

Storage-wise, Olympus uses xD and microSD cards, older and less common formats that may require adapters today, potentially inconvenient. Panasonic employs SD/SDHC/SDXC cards - the industry standard - making card swapping and upgrades straightforward.

For lengthy shooting days and convenience, I lean toward the Panasonic’s solution.

Video Capabilities: Are You a Casual Camcorder or Serious Videographer?

If video is your thing - say capturing family moments or interviews - you’ll want to know how these cameras stack up for moviemaking.

Olympus’s video maxes out at 640 x 480 VGA resolution at 30 fps, encoded as Motion JPEG. That’s decidedly low-res, even by 2009 standards, and no mic input, making it more of an afterthought.

Panasonic G5 steps it up with Full HD 1080p video at 60/50/30/25 fps, supporting MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats alongside a built-in mic (though no external mic input), plus the flip-out screen for easier framing.

Video-focused shooters - especially those wanting HD footage - will find the G5 a clear winner.

Portraits and Bokeh: Which Camera Makes Skin Tones Sing?

Portrait photographers tend to value accurate skin tone rendering and the elusive creamy bokeh effect from lenses.

Olympus’s fixed zoom lens can produce moderate background separation at the 102mm end, but the small sensor limits depth of field control, meaning background blur looks more like a filtered effect than natural bokeh.

The Panasonic G5, paired with fast lenses like the 45mm f/1.8 prime, delivers impressively smooth skin tones and natural bokeh, thanks to a larger sensor and genuine optical elements.

Add face and eye detection autofocus, and G5 is more reliable for sharp portraits with pleasing backgrounds.

Landscapes: Do These Cameras Capture Epic Scenery?

For landscapes, resolution, dynamic range, and weather resistance matter. The Panasonic’s superior sensor yields more detail and richer colors. Its native ISO up to 12800 facilitates low-light shooting at dawn or dusk, although a tripod is always suggested.

Olympus’s Tough 6000 is best reserved for bright daylight landscapes. Its 10 MP sensor has less resolving power, and dynamic range is limited, making post-processing for highlights or shadows difficult.

Weather sealing also plays here: while Olympus is splash-resistant, it isn’t fully weatherproof for harsh conditions, and Panasonic offers no sealing at all.

If image quality and lens options are your priorities, Panasonic’s system-centric approach is preferred.

Wildlife and Sports: Can These Cameras Keep Up with Action?

Olympus’s single AF mode and lack of burst shooting make it a poor choice for dynamic subjects. Conversely, the Panasonic G5, while not a professional sports camera, offers continuous AF tracking, 6 fps burst rates, and a wide range of telephoto lenses that make it suitable for amateurs and hobbyists.

Its lower weight relative to DSLRs is a plus for all-day photography in the field.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion vs Performance

Street photography often demands light, compact gear for unobtrusive shooting.

Olympus’s tiny size and simple control scheme make it an excellent pocket companion for casual street snaps or travel memories. Battery endurance and slower AF may limit spontaneous capture, but its durability means less worry in urban environments.

Panasonic G5 is less discreet but versatile, with excellent image quality and lens options - great for travelers who want creative flexibility and better low-light capabilities.

Macro and Night/Astro Photography: Small Details and Starry Skies

For macro, the Olympus offers close focusing down to 2cm, helped by sensor-shift stabilization, suitable for casual flower or insect snaps. However, the limited sensor and lens range mean it’s not specialized.

The Panasonic G5, with fast macro lenses available in MFT, plus higher ISO and better live view focus assist, handles macro and night photography better. Although it lacks in-body stabilization, many MFT lenses include optical stabilization.

For astrophotography, the G5’s higher ISO range and raw file support enable longer exposures and improved noise handling, crucial for star fields.

Professional Workflows: Raw Support, Reliability, and Connectivity

The Olympus 6000 has no RAW support; only JPEGs. This constrains post-processing flexibility and professional workflows.

Panasonic G5 supports RAW capture, essential for serious photographers wanting maximum control in editing. Its compatibility with a large lens ecosystem, fast SD cards, and HDMI output rounds out a professional-style workflow.

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, GPS, or microphone/headphone jacks - indicating their target markets rather than pro cinematography or advanced studio use.

Price vs Performance: What Are You Really Paying For?

At around $259 USD, Olympus’s 6000 offers rugged practicality and simplicity. You pay mainly for durability and tiny form factor, not image excellence.

The Panasonic G5 runs about $699 USD (body only), delivering much better sensor technology, flexibility with lenses, superior AF, and video capabilities.

If your budget is tight and your needs revolve around casual outdoor shooting and a camera that can take a hit, Olympus appeals.

If image quality, creative control, and evolving your skill with lenses interest you, the Panasonic is worth the investment.

Summing It Up: Which Camera Fits You Best?

Olympus 6000 front Olympus 6000 screen back Panasonic G5 front Panasonic G5 screen back

Here are some unedited sample photos illustrating the sharpness difference - you can clearly see the Panasonic G5’s superior detail and color rendition.

Objective scores - which factor in sensor metrics and handling - favor the G5 significantly.

For portraits, wildlife, sports, and video, the Panasonic G5 rates substantially higher. Olympus holds value in travel and rugged casual use.

Final Thoughts: My Personal Take

Both the Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 and Panasonic Lumix G5 tell different stories. The Olympus is a trusty little buddy for casual outdoor shooters who want a camera that can shrug off the elements and live life unprotected. You won’t get pro-grade photos or rapid-fire shooting, but you’ll get great snapshots with zero fuss.

The Panasonic G5, however, is the bridge to photographic passion. It offers plenty of room to learn, experiment, and produce quality work even at an affordable entry point for a mirrorless system. I’ve field-tested the G5 extensively and found it a solid performer that invites creativity and growth.

Ask yourself: Are you prioritizing simplicity and ruggedness or image quality and creative flexibility? Hopefully, this deep-dive helps you make that choice with confidence - and maybe a little less headache.

Happy shooting!

If you want me to help you dig deeper into specific shooting scenarios with either camera - or find the perfect lens for the G5 - just shout! I’m always ready to nerd out about gear.