Olympus TG-860 vs Samsung NX5: A Comprehensive Camera Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera can feel like an endless quest - especially when two models like the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 and Samsung NX5, launched a few years apart, target completely different niches and offer contrasting capabilities. Having tested thousands of cameras over the years, I find it refreshing to pit these two distinct beasts against one another. On one end, we have a rugged ultracompact waterproof shooter aimed at adventurous souls, on the other, a mirrorless system camera designed for budding enthusiasts eager to step up their creative game.

But how do these options really compare in daily use, image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, and overall versatility? Buckle up; I’ll take you through everything I've found - from sensor tech to battery life, shooting disciplines to real-world handling - backing it all up with insights gained from prolonged hands-on testing and industry-standard measurement techniques.

When Size and Purpose Matter: The Physical Feel and Ergonomics

Right off the bat, the Olympus TG-860 and Samsung NX5 differ dramatically in their physical design and handling ethos.

The TG-860 is an ultracompact, rugged point-and-shoot camera measuring a neat 110x64x28mm and weighing just 224 grams. Its robust shell is built to endure shocks, freezing temps, and submersion underwater. If you’re hiking, snorkeling, or skiing, this camera is designed to go places your typical DSLR or mirrorless wouldn’t dare to tread.

On the flip side, the NX5 embodies the classic SLR-style mirrorless form factor, with heftier dimensions of 123x87x40mm and a weight more than double that of the TG-860 at 499 grams. This camera is aimed at users seeking the tactile feel of a system camera with interchangeable lenses, offering better customization and control but sacrificing portability.

Ergonomically, the NX5’s grip and button layout (covered in more detail below) give it a confident, professional feel in the hand - ideal for extended shooting sessions. The TG-860, however, prioritizes simplicity and ruggedness over manual control, appealing to more casual shooters or those who want a tough companion without fuss.

Control Layout and User Interface: Comfort vs. Simplicity

Looking at the control schemes and top panel design reveals further clues about target users.

The NX5 features dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation - as well as a customizable function button. This level of manual control supports a photographer’s creative intent, making it easier to adjust settings on the fly without diving into menus.

The TG-860 instead opts for a minimalist control approach, with limited physical buttons and no dedicated manual exposure modes, reflecting its point-and-shoot DNA. You’ll find zoom and shutter buttons, a mode dial focused on scene presets, and a menu system designed for quick access to waterproof and shockproof features, rather than deep photographic customization.

If you crave full command and like to tease out the nuances of exposure, the NX5 will feel more satisfying. But for those who want quick snaps in challenging conditions, the TG-860’s straightforward interface can be a blessing.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

This is where the cameras truly diverge, and in my experience, sensor technology remains the most crucial factor for image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance.

The Olympus TG-860 sports a small 1/2.3" type CMOS sensor measuring about 6.17x4.55mm with a 16-megapixel resolution. This is typical for rugged compacts and comes with inherent limitations: less light-gathering area means more noise at higher ISOs, constrained dynamic range, and less flexibility for cropping or fine detail extraction.

In contrast, the Samsung NX5 steps up with an APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.4x15.6mm and offering 15 megapixels. This sensor size advantage alone, nearly 13 times the surface area of the TG-860’s sensor, translates to substantially better image quality, superior noise control at elevated ISO settings, and richer tonal gradations.

From testing both under controlled lighting, the NX5 delivers images with noticeably finer detail, deeper color depth, and a wider dynamic range - valuable for landscape and portrait shooters who want to retain highlight and shadow detail or pull more from RAW files during post-processing.

Viewing and Composing Images: LCDs and Viewfinders

A camera’s interface extends to how we frame and review images.

The TG-860 comes equipped with a small 3-inch tilting LCD with a modest 460K-dot resolution - adequate for basic composition and reviewing shots on the go, especially with its tilt functionality helpful for shooting at odd angles. However, it lacks a viewfinder, which makes composing in bright sunlight somewhat tricky.

The NX5, meanwhile, features a 3-inch fixed AMOLED screen with a lower resolution of 230K dots but benefits from an electronic viewfinder covering 100% of the frame with a 0.57x magnification. This EVF is a game-changer when shooting outdoors or aiming for precise manual focus, as it allows eye-level framing and better exposure previewing.

If you often shoot outdoors or in complex lighting, the NX5’s EVF adds significant capability. Casual or adventure photographers relying on ruggedness might find the TG-860’s tilting LCD sufficient for spur-of-the-moment captures.

Lens Systems: Fixed Convenience vs. Interchangeable Creativity

One of the biggest philosophical divides between these cameras is their lens ecosystems.

The Olympus TG-860 features a built-in fixed zoom lens equivalent to a 21-105mm focal length with a maximum aperture range of f/3.5 to f/5.7. This versatile zoom covers wide to short telephoto but lacks the optical speed and reach for serious telephoto or low-light use. It does, however, support macro shooting down to 1cm focusing distance, which contributes to impressive close-up photography for a rugged camera.

The Samsung NX5 uses the Samsung NX mount with access to over 30 native lenses, spanning ultra-wide, standard zoom, telephoto, macro, and even manual specialty lenses. This versatility is a huge boon for photographers wanting to experiment in various genres - portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or sports - with optics better suited for each discipline.

In practice, while the TG-860 gives you instant readiness and rugged convenience, the NX5 invites you to invest in glass tailored to your style and subject.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking and Responsiveness

Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus systems, with differences in capability and performance.

The TG-860 offers face detection and center-area focusing, along with continuous AF and tracking modes designed for ease during casual shooting. Its maximum continuous shooting rate clocks in at 7 frames per second, quite swift for a compact camera, ideal for action or wildlife snapshots at close range.

The NX5 offers a 15-point AF system with selective area focusing, including spot and multi-area options, but no eye or animal eye detection (common limitations around its 2010 release). Burst speed is a slower 3 frames per second, reflecting its entry-level sensor and processor tech at the time.

In real-world use, the TG-860’s fast burst and reliable face detection make it nimble for family outings or fast-moving street scenes. The NX5’s slower burst rate is offset by more precise manual focus options and the ability to use faster lenses, which helps in controlled portrait or landscape work where AF speed is less critical.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: Ready for Rough Conditions?

If your photographic adventures take you into wet, dusty, or shock-prone environments, the difference is stark.

The TG-860 is built to withstand submersion up to 15 meters, freeze-proof down to -10°C, shockproof from 2.1-meter drops, and crushproof up to 100 kilograms of force. This makes it a perfect companion for diving, skiing, or industrial environments.

The NX5 provides no weather sealing, demanding more careful handling and protective accessories if you expect to shoot outdoors in challenging weather.

Shooting Modes and Exposure Control: Automatics vs. Manual Freedom

The Olympus TG-860 is primarily an automatic camera with scene modes and custom white balance but no aperture or shutter priority modes. Manual exposure control is absent, keeping things simple but limiting creative exposure work.

The Samsung NX5, meanwhile, provides full manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and exposure compensation controls, giving you granular command. This is a key advantage if you want to learn photography fundamentals or perform advanced shooting techniques like long exposures or depth-of-field control.

Video Capabilities: Modern Needs and Limitations

While neither camera targets videographers primarily, their specifications matter for hybrid shooters.

The TG-860 records Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 60fps with H.264 encoding, offering smooth motion and sufficient resolution for casual clips. It also supports interval time-lapse recording. However, the lack of microphone input or headphone output limits audio control.

The NX5 maxes out at 720p HD at 30fps, recorded in H.264 - a younger specification from its era. It also lacks external audio ports, making it suboptimal for today’s video content creators.

For casual video, the TG-860 holds a clear edge, but neither camera will replace dedicated video shooters.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

The TG-860’s battery life rates at an estimated 300 shots per charge, with a proprietary Li-50B battery and support for SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. The smaller body reflects modest power needs.

The NX5 slightly outperforms here with up to 400 shots per charge using its BP1130 battery, reflecting a larger body and the power demands of the EVF and sensor. It supports SD and SDHC cards but lacks newer SDXC support.

In field tests, both can get a full day’s shooting with mindful power management, but extra batteries are recommended for extended sessions or travel.

Connectivity and Extras: Built-In GPS vs. None

The Olympus TG-860 includes built-in GPS for geotagging your shots automatically, a nice feature for travelers and outdoor shooters logging locations.

The NX5 has no native wireless features or GPS, but there was an optional accessory to add GPS.

Both cameras support USB 2.0 and HDMI output for image transfer and viewing on larger screens, standard for their time.

Price and Value: What’s Your Investment Telling You?

The TG-860 typically retails around $279, making it an affordable rugged compact with surprising feature density.

The NX5, priced near $499 at launch, positions itself as an entry-level mirrorless system camera, requiring additional investment in lenses to realize its full potential.

If budget constraints are tight and you need durability and instant usability, the TG-860 is a highly cost-effective choice. If you want long-term system growth and image quality, the NX5 - and the Samsung NX lens ecosystem - invitie a bigger commitment but reward it with versatility.

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

Let’s explore how these cameras perform in specific photography disciplines, referencing scores derived from my hands-on testing and established evaluation criteria.

Olympus TG 860 front Olympus TG 860 screen back Samsung NX5 screen back

Portraits

• TG-860: Offers face detection and bokeh effect through lens blur but limited control over focus or aperture; skin tones render fairly realistically for a compact.
• NX5: APS-C sensor leads to better subject isolation and more natural skin tone gradations; manual focus support and selective AF increase creative control.

Landscapes

• TG-860: Sensor limitations cap dynamic range but ruggedness allows shooting in extreme weather without worry.
• NX5: Superior sensor and RAW support yield rich, high-res landscape images, but you must handle it carefully in challenging environments.

Wildlife

• TG-860: Compact zoom and burst rate decent for nearby action but limited reach.
• NX5: Wider lens options, slower burst speed constrain fast-action capture though.

Sports

• TG-860: Fast burst but no manual exposure modes hampers creative timing.
• NX5: Manual controls aid settings but slower continuous shooting slows capturing high-speed moments.

Street

• TG-860: Small size and discreet design ideal for candid shots.
• NX5: Bulky presence hinders portability and discretion.

Macro

• TG-860: Excellent close-up capabilities down to 1cm.
• NX5: Macro lenses available but require additional investment.

Night and Astro

• TG-860: Small sensor struggles with noise above ISO 800.
• NX5: APS-C sensor better for long exposures and low light, but no built-in long exposure modes.

Video

• TG-860: 1080p/60fps video with image stabilization for casual clips.
• NX5: 720p max resolution less future-proof.

Travel

• TG-860: Compact, rugged, GPS-enabled, and good battery life make it a travel companion.
• NX5: Bulkier but image quality and lens choices reward careful travelers.

Professional

• TG-860: More a backup or casual camera than a pro primary body.
• NX5: Early mirrorless entry with manual modes and RAW support appealing to pros on a budget.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Which Camera Fits You?

Having delved into every corner of these two cameras’ capabilities, I hope you have a clearer sense of which matches your style and priorities.

• Choose the Olympus TG-860 if:

  • You want a rugged, lightweight travel or adventure camera
  • You value durability (waterproof, shockproof) above premium image quality
  • You prefer a straightforward, point-and-shoot experience
  • Video recording at 1080p with basic stabilization is desirable
  • Budget is tighter, around $279

• Opt for the Samsung NX5 if:

  • You want DSLR-like control in a compact mirrorless package
  • You prioritize image quality, manual exposure, and RAW shooting
  • You’re ready to invest in multiple lenses for versatility
  • You occasionally shoot portraits, landscapes, or controlled scenes
  • Portability and ruggedness are secondary to imaging capabilities
  • Your budget can stretch to roughly $499 plus lenses

Dear readers, while these cameras can’t be more different, they each excel spectacularly in their intended roles. If you’re trekking snowy mountain ranges or diving reefs, the TG-860 won’t let you down. But if you dream of artistic portraits or finely detailed landscapes and want to craft your vision with manual control, the NX5 is the better partner.

Whether your journey leans ultrarugged or mirrorless creative, understanding these strengths and compromises and how they interplay with your needs is key. And remember: the best camera is not always the most advanced one, but the one that inspires you to shoot more and better.

Happy shooting!