Olympus TG-860 vs Sony NEX-5
91 Imaging
40 Features
42 Overall
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89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
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Olympus TG-860 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
- 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
- Revealed February 2015
- Renewed by Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Released June 2010
- Renewed by Sony NEX-5N

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus TG-860 vs Sony NEX-5, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-860 (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is pretty similar but the TG-860 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) offer different sensor measurements.

The TG-860 was revealed 4 years later than the NEX-5 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going right into a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the TG-860 scores versus the NEX-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus TG-860 Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Sony NEX-5
TG-860 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2015 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 57 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Olympus TG-860
NEX-5 | TG-860 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus TG-860 and Sony NEX-5
TG-860 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Olympus TG-860 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-860 comes with external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
See the Olympus TG-860 vs Sony NEX-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the TG-860 compared to the NEX-5.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-860 and NEX-5 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The visual below should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-860 and NEX-5.
As you can see, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The TG-860 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Olympus TG-860 will deliver more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern TG-860 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Class | Waterproof | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2015-02-06 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VII | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 21-105mm (5.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.7 | - |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Yes | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 224 grams (0.49 lb) | 287 grams (0.63 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 69 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 photos | 330 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | Li-50B | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $279 | $599 |