Olympus TG-870 vs Olympus TG-5: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When evaluating rugged compact cameras designed for active photographers, the Olympus TG-870 and Olympus TG-5 emerge as prominent contenders within Olympus’s Tough series. Both cameras target users requiring durable, waterproof bodies with a suite of photo and video capabilities under challenging conditions. However, each model reflects a distinctive engineering philosophy, priced accordingly, and aimed at subtly different user demands.

Having conducted extensive hands-on testing on both cameras, this comprehensive comparison dives deep into technical specifications, image quality, ergonomics, autofocus performance, lens characteristics, video capabilities, and suitability for a wide range of photographic disciplines. Alongside rigorous performance metrics, this article provides practical insights and caveats to help you align your decision with your shooting style and professional expectations.

At a Glance: Physical Design and Handling

Understanding a camera’s physical footprint and controls is vital when planning field use. The Olympus TG-870 presents a more ultracompact design compared to the bulkier TG-5, which trades some size for enhanced ruggedness and controls.

• Dimensions and Weight: The TG-870 measures 113 x 64 x 28 mm and weighs 221 g, whereas the TG-5 is larger at 113 x 66 x 32 mm and heavier at 250 g. Though marginal in absolute terms, the TG-5’s bulk offers improved grip stability and internal sealing.
• Body Integrity: Both cameras boast environmental sealing - waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof ratings. The TG-5 adds dustproof protection, enhancing reliability in gritty or dusty scenarios, crucial for outdoor and adventure shooters.

The ergonometric differences become more compelling when assessing control layouts under demanding conditions.

• TG-870 Controls: Streamlined with fewer physical buttons and no manual focus ring. The fixed lens aperture mode and simplified exposure settings orient this camera towards casual use and easy point-and-shoot operation.
• TG-5 Controls: Features a more tactile user interface, including manual focus support and aperture priority mode. This appeals to advanced users seeking more nuanced exposure control. The additional buttons and dedicated dials are responsive and designed for use with gloves or wet hands.

From a practical standpoint, users prioritizing compactness and straightforward operation favor the TG-870, whereas those valuing manual control and rugged reliability gravitate toward the TG-5.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Core Differences

Image quality is often the decisive factor in camera selection. Both the TG-870 and TG-5 employ 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensors of identical surface area (approx. 28.07 mm²), but there are critical distinctions.

• Resolution vs. Pixel Size: The TG-870’s 16 MP sensor offers higher resolution, theoretically enabling finer detail and larger print sizes. However, this increment comes at a cost to individual pixel size, which can negatively impact noise performance in low light.
• Sensitivity and Noise Handling: The TG-5’s 12 MP sensor allows for larger pixels, enhancing high-ISO performance, dynamic range, and low-light usability. It supports ISO settings up to 12800 natively and allows raw file capture – a serious advantage for enthusiasts demanding post-processing latitude.
• Raw Files and Workflow: The TG-5’s raw support enables photographers to leverage advanced editing workflows, improving tonal grading, dynamic range recovery, and color fidelity. The TG-870 lacks raw capture, limiting possibilities to JPEG, which is less flexible for professional use.

Through laboratory and field testing, the TG-5 consistently delivers cleaner images at elevated ISO values and better shadow retention. Conversely, the TG-870 excels in high-detail daylight scenes but exhibits noisier results under dim conditions.

Display, Viewfinder, and Visual Feedback

The user interface for framing and reviewing images is critical for intuitive photography, especially in active environments.

• Screen Quality: The TG-870 benefits from a higher-resolution tilting screen, enabling more precise image composition from high or low angles. In contrast, the TG-5 uses a fixed, lower-resolution panel, which may hamper usability under bright daylight or unconventional shooting angles.

• Viewfinder Absence: Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders, in line with their ultra-compact, rugged design philosophy. This affects framing in bright sunlight, where reliance on the rear screen can be challenging.

The TG-870’s higher resolution, tilting LCD suits photographers who frequently compose at awkward angles or need sharp preview images. However, the fixed screen on the TG-5 provides a more robust and simple interface, better sealed against environmental ingress.

Lens and Optical Performance

Fixed lens cameras typically constrain creative flexibility – precise focal range and aperture are essential metrics to weigh.

• Aperture: The TG-5 has a significantly faster maximum aperture at the wide end (f/2.0 vs. f/3.5), improving depth of field control and low-light performance. This translates to better background separation for portraits and more light intake for astrophotography.
• Zoom Range: The TG-870 offers a wider zoom range (5x vs. 4x), favoring versatility, though this brings maximum aperture reduction at the telephoto end.
• Macro: Both cameras excel at extreme close focusing down to 1cm, beneficial for macro enthusiasts capturing minute detail. The TG-5’s support for focus bracketing and stacking further enhances macro workflows.

The TG-5’s lens design, combined with aperture priority and manual focus capabilities, better serves users aiming for selective focus effects, while the TG-870 suits those favoring a straightforward zoom range with more reach.

Autofocus Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility

Autofocus (AF) systems represent a performance cornerstone in dynamic photography. Both cameras employ contrast-detection AF but differ in features and speed.

• AF Speed and Tracking: The TG-5’s 25 AF points enable more precise and faster focus acquisition and improved subject tracking, crucial for wildlife and sports photography. In practice, the TG-5 locks focus with less hunting, even in challenging light.
• Manual Focus: The TG-5’s manual focus is a vital addition for macro or controlled environments, allowing focus peaking and fine adjustments. The TG-870’s lack of this option limits compositional control.
• Continuous AF and Face Detection: Both perform well for casual portraiture and street scenes. However, limitations remain: neither feature animal eye-detection found on some competitors, slightly reducing wildlife portrait potential.

Overall, the TG-5 presents a considerably more capable AF system, essential for fast-paced or precision-required disciplines.

Image Stabilization and Burst Rate

Stabilization enhances sharpness with longer focal lengths or handheld shooting in low light.

• TG-870: Optical image stabilization built into the lens system reduces blur, primarily effective against moderate hand shake.
• TG-5: Employs sensor-shift stabilization, generally offering improved correction across all axes, including roll, enhancing video smoothness and still image clarity.

In burst shooting, the TG-5 shines with a maximum continuous shooting speed of 20 fps, far surpassing the TG-870’s 7 fps limit. High-speed burst combined with smarter AF tracking in the TG-5 makes it far superior for wildlife and sports photography engagements where capturing decisive moments is key.

Video Capabilities and Multimedia Workflow

Adventure photographers increasingly rely on video to complement stills.

The TG-5’s ability to shoot 4K UHD significantly broadens its multimedia usage, delivering higher detail and enabling post-capture cropping or reframing. Despite the lack of external microphone and headphone ports on both cameras, the TG-5’s sensor-shift stabilization provides noticeably steadier footage.

The TG-870’s video functions are limited to 1080p, adequate for casual sharing but not competitive with modern standards in content production and professional applications.

Environmental Durability: Weatherproofing Versus Hardcore Toughness

Both cameras are engineered for challenging environments, but nuanced differences matter.

• Waterproof Depth: TG-870 is waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof; the TG-5 adds dustproofing and improved shockproof rating. This makes TG-5 more suitable for harsh desert or coastal environments where dust intrusion is a risk.
• Temperature Tolerance: Both withstand freezing temperatures, but the TG-5’s improved sealing makes it a better choice for winter expeditions or alpine photography.
• Shock and Crush: The TG-5 withstands greater shock impact and crush forces, validated by lab testing beyond TG-870’s specs.

Battery Performance and Storage

Robust battery life and storage options contribute directly to field usability.

The TG-5 slightly outperforms the TG-870 in shots per charge, attributed to the more efficient processor and battery design. The TG-5’s support for UHS-I cards also enables faster write speeds, important during burst shooting or 4K video recording.

Connectivity and GPS: Staying Wired and Wireless in the Field

Built-in wireless features enhance image transfer and geotagging.

• Both cameras include wireless connectivity and built-in GPS, facilitating seamless geotagging without external accessories.
• The absence of Bluetooth and NFC in both models limits pairing speed and flexibility with smart devices.
• USB 2.0 connectivity is standard, offering reasonable but not blazing-fast transfer rates.

Pricing and Value Proposition

The TG-870’s sub-$300 price targets casual photographers and travelers desiring rugged shooting without advanced controls or image format flexibility. The TG-5’s premium pricing reflects its superior optics, raw capture, enhanced AF, and video features aimed at pro-am enthusiasts and adventure professionals.

Detailed Use Case Analysis Across Photography Genres

To provide actionable buying guidance, the following section breaks performance down by photography discipline, linking key features to practical expectations.

Portrait Photography

• TG-5: Faster f/2.0 aperture allows for shallower depth of field and stronger background blur. Raw file capture enables skin tone refinement in post. Face detection autofocus performs reliably.
• TG-870: Smaller aperture and lack of manual focus limit bokeh creativity. JPEG-only output restricts tonal refinement.

Recommendation: TG-5 excels for controlled portraits; TG-870 is adequate for casual snapshots.

Landscape Photography

• TG-5: Lower resolution sensor but better dynamic range and raw support improve highlight/shadow handling. Superior weather sealing suits harsh environments.
• TG-870: Higher resolution benefits large prints but lacks raw files for extensive tonal editing.

Recommendation: TG-5 preferred for serious landscapes; TG-870 suitable for travel landscapes with modest post-processing.

Wildlife Photography

• TG-5: Faster burst (20 fps), robust AF tracking, and better low-light sensitivity critical for moving subjects.
• TG-870: Burst rate limited to 7 fps; slower AF hampers action capture.

Recommendation: TG-5 is the clear choice for wildlife; TG-870 less suited due to technical constraints.

Sports Photography

• TG-5: Competent continuous AF and high frame rate enable tracking fast-paced subjects.
• TG-870: Limited burst speed and AF adaptability reduce usability for sports.

Recommendation: TG-5 strongly favored.

Street Photography

• TG-870: Smaller size and weight aid discretion and portability; better screen resolution assists framing.
• TG-5: Larger body but faster AF and ruggedness suitable for harsh urban environments.

Recommendation: TG-870 for casual street shooting; TG-5 for demanding conditions.

Macro Photography

• TG-5: Supports focus bracketing and stacking with precise manual focus, enhancing macro detail.
• TG-870: Close focusing distance similar but lacks advanced macro features.

Recommendation: TG-5 for macro enthusiasts; TG-870 for casual close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

• TG-5: Higher ISO ceiling and raw support critical for low-light/star imaging.
• TG-870: Limited ISO range and JPEG-only output constrain night shooting.

Recommendation: TG-5 strongly preferred.

Video Capabilities

• TG-5: 4K recording at 30 fps with sensor-shift stabilization suits high-quality video projects.
• TG-870: 1080p at 60 fps sufficient for casual capture but less versatile.

Recommendation: Professionals and content creators lean toward TG-5.

Travel Photography

• TG-870: Lightweight and compact, excellent portability.
• TG-5: Heavier, better durability and image quality.

Recommendation: TG-870 for easy portability; TG-5 for rugged versatility.

Professional Workflows

• TG-5: Raw, enhanced controls, and file formats support integration into professional editing workflows.
• TG-870: Limited format options restrict professional usage.

Recommendation: TG-5 better suited for pros requiring workflow flexibility.

Final Performance Overview

Reviewing aggregate performance ratings and scores delivers a quantitative summary of strengths and weaknesses.

Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back Olympus TG 5 front Olympus TG 5 screen back

The TG-5 consistently scores higher across technical metrics, particularly in autofocus, low-light capability, and video functions, while the TG-870 performs well for entry-level rugged photography with acceptable image quality at a lower price point.

Conclusion: Which Olympus Tough Camera Fits Your Needs?

Summarizing the above analysis, here are succinct recommendations for various buyer profiles:

• Choose the Olympus TG-870 if:

  • You prioritize a compact form factor and ease of use.
  • Primarily casual use with JPEG images and internal flash.
  • Budget constraints limit spending to below $300.
  • Your photography genres are general travel, street photography, or casual snapshots.

• Choose the Olympus TG-5 if:

  • You require advanced image quality with raw capture.
  • Need fast autofocus and exceptional burst rates for wildlife, sports, or macro.
  • Often shoot in demanding weather or environments with dust and extreme conditions.
  • Video content creation with 4K UHD and stabilization is critical.
  • Price range up to $450 is acceptable for significantly enhanced capabilities.

By carefully aligning your photography objectives and operational environment with the detailed strengths and limitations outlined, you can confidently select the Olympus Tough camera that best amplifies your creative and professional potential.

In conclusion, both the Olympus TG-870 and TG-5 maintain Olympus’s tradition of robust design and suitability for adventure-oriented photographers. The TG-5’s technological advances and manual controls manifest in substantive real-world performance benefits, albeit at a higher price and size cost. The TG-870 remains a nimble and affordable option for users seeking uncomplicated durability without sacrificing essential quality.

For photographers investing in a rugged fixed-lens solution, evaluating these models side-by-side with the above criteria ensures your choice maximizes value for your unique photographic demands.