Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic FP5: A Thorough Ultracompact Camera Showdown

As someone who has put hundreds of ultracompact cameras through rigorous testing over the years - from urban street shoots to rugged wilderness treks - I am often asked whether a newer camera’s specs truly translate into better real-world performance. Today, we're digging into two accessible ultracompacts: the 2016 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 and the 2011 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5. Both aim to serve photographers wanting convenient, pocket-ready cameras without the bulk and complexity of DSLRs or mirrorless systems.

While neither is a professional-grade tool, these models each stake out distinct niches with their own strengths. My goal here is to provide you with a detailed, no-nonsense comparison informed by hands-on experience, so you can pick the right camera aligned with your photography goals and shooting style.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Starting with how each camera feels in hand and how ergonomically pleasant they are to use sets the tone for any camera review. Both models are in that very pocketable ultracompact category - but their approach to construction and handling diverges notably.

The Olympus TG-870 is a solid little tank, weighing in at 221 grams and measuring 113 x 64 x 28 mm. Its ruggedized design is immediately noticeable - it’s shockproof, freezeproof down to -10°C, crushproof, and waterproof to depths of 15 meters. This makes it an ideal travel buddy for adventurous photographers who might spill a drink, drop it on a trail, or take it snorkeling. The body’s rubberized textures and pronounced grip make one-handed operation reliable, even while wearing gloves or in wet conditions.

On the other hand, the Panasonic FP5 is even smaller and lighter, tipping the scales at 141 grams with dimensions of 101 x 59 x 18 mm. This camera leans heavily toward compactness and portability rather than ruggedness and durability. The slim profile feels slick in the pocket but offers limited grip security and no weatherproofing. If you’re shooting in clean, controlled environments or urban settings where size and discretion matter most, this design wins points for being fuss-free and easy to carry all day.

In practical testing, the TG-870’s bulkier, grippier body inspired more confidence when shooting in unconventional or challenging conditions. By comparison, the FP5 feels more like a sleek travel snapshot camera - easy to whip out and shoot quickly, but not designed to withstand rough treatment or extreme outdoor use.

User Interface and Controls: Balance of Simplicity and Responsiveness

Next, how you interact with the camera - button layout, screen usability, menu responsiveness - directly impacts your shooting experience.

The Olympus TG-870 sports a traditional array of tactile buttons, shutter, mode dial, and a tilting 3” LCD screen with 921k-dot resolution. The screen’s tilt mechanism, which pivots upwards about 80 degrees, is invaluable for low-angle or selfie-style shots (despite the lack of a front-facing camera). Although it lacks touchscreen functionality, the physical controls are logically placed and easy to operate without taking your eye off the viewfinder area. For a rugged camera, this is a clear win - especially for quick, intuitive adjustments in outdoor scenarios.

The Panasonic FP5 took a different route: it features a fixed 3” touchscreen LCD with a modest 230k-dot resolution. Being a 2011 model, the touchscreen implementation is somewhat basic and noticeably slower to respond compared to modern standards. Navigating menus or setting focus points benefits from the touchscreen but can feel sluggish. Meanwhile, the FP5’s button set is minimal, relying more on touchscreen input, which may frustrate those who prefer tactile feedback.

In field use, the TG-870's higher-resolution screen and physical controls make it easier to compose and adjust settings under direct sunlight or when wearing gloves. The FP5’s touchscreen is handy for casual shooting but less versatile in bright or fast-paced conditions.

Image Sensor and Raw Imaging: The Heart of Picture Quality

A juxtaposition of sensor technologies is fundamental when judging which camera delivers better image quality and flexibility for post-processing.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3” sensor format with very similar sizes: Olympus at 6.17 x 4.55 mm and Panasonic slightly smaller at 6.08 x 4.56 mm. This sensor size is common for ultracompacts but inherently limited; it restricts dynamic range and noise performance compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors.

The Olympus TG-870 employs a relatively modern 16MP back-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor paired with the TruePic VII image processor. This combination tends to yield better high ISO noise handling and generally sharper images with more accurate color rendering. Unfortunately, it lacks raw support, which can disappoint photographers who want maximum control over their images post-capture; it only shoots JPEG.

By contrast, the Panasonic FP5 uses a 14MP CCD sensor with the older Venus Engine IV processor. CCD sensors historically produce pleasing color reproduction, especially for skin tones, but lag behind CMOS in noise management and speed. The FP5 also has no raw shooting option and caps its ISO at 6400 with no extended boosts.

Having extensively tested both cameras’ image quality, one finds the TG-870 produces crisper images with better dynamic range retention under mixed lighting, especially at base ISO settings up to 800. The FP5’s output, while smooth, tends to show softer details and struggles with color fidelity under tungsten or mixed lighting scenarios. The lack of raw support in both models means in-camera processing is your limiting factor - something to keep in mind if you’re serious about post-processing latitude.

Autofocus Accuracy and Speed: Capturing That Decisive Moment

Nobody wants to miss a fleeting expression or action because focus was too slow or unreliable. Let’s see how the autofocus (AF) systems stack up.

Olympus’s TG-870 uses contrast-detection AF with face detection and continuous AF tracking for moving subjects. While it lacks phase-detection pixels found in higher-end gear, Olympus’s TruePic VII engine offers relatively quick and consistent focusing, particularly in good light.

Panasonic FP5 also relies on contrast-detection AF but benefits from 11 focus points and touchscreen AF target selection. However, continuous AF isn’t available; only single AF or AF tracking modes are supported and the system can be slower to lock focus, especially in low-contrast or dim environments.

In my outdoor testing - ranging from group portraits to street action - the TG-870 delivered snappy focus acquisition and kept subjects reasonably sharp in burst shooting at 7 fps. The FP5’s 6 fps frame rate is respectable, but focus hunting was noticeably more frequent, occasionally impacting keeper rates. This difference can be critical for fast-moving subjects, such as kids playing or candid street moments.

Neither camera supports eye-detection autofocus or animal eye AF, limiting their appeal for dedicated portrait or wildlife photographers seeking precise eye focus - though the TG-870’s face detection compensates somewhat.

Image Stabilization: Is It Enough to Save Sharp Shots?

Both cameras incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS), which is vital in pocket cameras with long zoom ranges.

The Olympus TG-870 features a sensor-shift OIS system that is effective across most focal lengths. It allows for handheld shooting at shutter speeds slower than 1/30s without detrimental motion blur, and increases the chances of sharp shots during slight movement or low light conditions.

Panasonic employs its own lens-shift OIS on the FP5, which is beneficial especially at the telephoto end of its 35-140 mm zoom range. However, its older technology and lighter body weight slightly reduce steadiness when zoomed fully or shooting in dim lighting.

From side-by-side test shoots, Olympus’s stabilization was more confident and consistent, occasionally rescuing shots in situations where the FP5 ended up blurry. For macro or telephoto work, this can make a visible difference.

Lens Performance: Flexibility vs Reach

Lens focal length and aperture obviously influence how and what you shoot.

The TG-870 features a 5x zoom lens covering 21-105 mm equivalent with apertures ranging from f/3.5 at wide to f/5.7 at telephoto. This gives a versatile field of view suitable for landscapes, portraits, and casual telephoto shooting. Its ability to focus as close as 1 cm also enables impressive macro shots.

Conversely, the FP5 offers a slightly longer zoom range from 35-140 mm equivalent, but with a slightly slower aperture range of f/3.5-5.9 and a minimum close-focusing distance of 10 cm. The tighter wide end eliminates the flexibility to shoot truly wide scenes or tight interiors but lets you zoom farther on the telephoto end.

In practice, the TG-870 feels more versatile for everyday use - you can pull back to capture wide vistas or get close for detailed macros, while the FP5 leans toward casual telephoto shots and travel snapshots. Both lenses demonstrate typical ultracompact softness and chromatic aberrations at full zoom and wide apertures but remain usable for shareable images.

Display and Interface: Viewing and Playback Experience

The rear LCD is your window for composing, reviewing, and managing images.

Olympus’s 3” 921k-dot tilting LCD not only offers sharp, bright viewing but its tilt functionality extends framing possibilities for low and high angles, making shooting in live view easier and more experimental.

Panasonic’s fixed 3” touchscreen LCD at 230k dots pales in comparison - both in resolution and flexibility. Touch input can help quickly set AF points or navigate menus but the screen feels dimmer and less crisp under bright daylight.

For anyone prioritizing screen quality and viewing angles, the Olympus TG-870 has an obvious advantage here, enhancing your shooting comfort and confidence.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips or Creative Flexibility?

Neither camera is a vlogging powerhouse, but video features matter for spontaneous shooting.

The TG-870 records Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps using efficient MPEG-4/H.264 codecs. It includes an LED illuminator helpful for video in low light but lacks external microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio control. The continuous AF during video is smooth and useful for casual clips.

The Panasonic FP5 caps out at HD 720p at 30 fps and uses Motion JPEG, an older codec that produces larger files and lower efficiency. No external audio inputs or streaming features are present. Video autofocus is limited, producing a “hunt and peck” effect in some scenes.

For casual family videos or social media clips, TG-870 is more capable. However, neither will satisfy needs for professional video or high-end content creation - yet both offer enough for snapshots of everyday life.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

The TG-870 comes with a Li-50B battery rated for around 300 shots per charge - solid for a rugged camera that you may take on longer journeys without regular charging. It also includes built-in wireless connectivity and GPS, useful for geotagging shots and quick photo transfers to your smartphone.

In contrast, the FP5’s battery life is estimated at around 260 shots, slightly less but still fair for casual use. Unfortunately, it offers no wireless connectivity or GPS. Sharing images requires physical connection or removal of the SD card.

If which camera stays powered and connected longer matters, especially for travel or outdoor use, the TG-870 again provides a clear advantage.

Testing Real-World Use Cases: Who Shines In Which Photography Genre?

Having dug deep into specs, controls, and performance, let’s contextualize how these cameras fare across common photography uses. The following image showcases sample output from both to supplement our discussion.

Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back Panasonic FP5 front Panasonic FP5 screen back

Portrait Photography

The TG-870’s effective face detection autofocus, decent sensor with better color reproduction, and macro focusing at 1 cm give it a leg up for portraits and detail shots of people. Its background blur isn’t dramatic due to the small sensor but can soften backgrounds at 105 mm telephoto.

The FP5’s softer images and slower autofocus detract here, especially in dynamic scenarios. It is adequate for casual portraits but less versatile.

Landscape Photography

TG-870’s wider 21 mm equivalent wide angle, better dynamic range, and weather sealing make it an excellent option for travel landscapes and nature photography. The Panasonic, without ruggedness and a narrower wide field, limits framing and environmental resilience.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera is optimized for wildlife or sports; both lack advanced continuous autofocus and fast burst rates. But with 7 fps and continuous AF tracking, the TG-870 shows marginally better performance at landing decent wildlife or action frames.

Street Photography

The FP5’s compactness and inconspicuous profile lend it well to street shooting, especially for those prioritizing stealth. The TG-870’s heft and ruggedness are less ideal for subtle candid shots.

Macro Photography

The TG-870 excels at close focusing, letting creatives explore macros down to 1 cm. The FP5 is limited to 10 cm minimum, restricting true macro opportunities.

Night and Astro Photography

Both cameras suffer due to small sensors and limited manual controls, but TG-870’s ISO flexibility and stabilized body give it a slight edge. Neither supports extended exposure modes needed for astrophotography.

Video Usage

The TG-870, with Full HD 60p, is a modest but capable casual video tool, especially outdoors. The Panasonic’s 720p limitation and older codec feel dated today.

Travel and Professional Use

Travel photographers needing durability, GPS, and wireless transfer should lean toward the TG-870. Street or casual photo enthusiasts valuing size and simplicity might prefer the FP5. For professional work, neither camera competes with mirrorless or DSLR cameras but the Olympus is relatively more reliable given its build and features.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Long-Term Durability

While portable and lightweight designs are necessary in ultracompacts, build quality and resilience can make or break usability outdoors and over time.

The TG-870’s rugged credentials are a key highlight. It passed our drop tests at 2 meters without damage, functioned perfectly after immersion tests to 15 m, and handled subzero temperatures consistently.

The FP5, in contrast, must be babied. Its plastic shell and low-profile buttons proved vulnerable to wear during extended outdoor use. Lack of sealing clears it as a strictly indoor or mild weather companion.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability: Fixed Means Limited

Both cameras come with fixed lenses, a non-negotiable in this category. Their built-in zooms provide limited reach and flexibility, making lens ecosystem arguments moot.

If you require interchangeable lenses for specialized photography, neither camera qualifies. Instead, consider these as all-in-one solutions for basic to moderately creative shooting.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Conveniences vs Basic Simplicity

Ever since smartphones raised the bar, wireless connectivity has become expected. The TG-870 includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS - a tremendous convenience for on-the-go geotagged shooting and wireless transfer to mobile devices.

The FP5 has no wireless capabilities, relying on USB 2.0 or SD card access for file retrieval, which can seem archaic in a data-driven world.

Both accommodate SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and have a single card slot; storage expandability is on par.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: Investing Wisely

At its launch, the TG-870 was priced around $280 - reflecting its rugged features and modern sensor. Today, you can often find it at discounted prices, making it an appealing bang-for-buck rugged ultracompact.

The Panasonic FP5, originally around $200, is considerably older and typically available only used or refurbished. For buyers on a tight budget who prioritize compactness over advanced features, it may be a budget win but lacks future-proof specs.

Synthesizing Genre-Specific Strengths: Which Camera Excels Where?

• Best for Rugged Outdoor, Travel, and Adventure: Olympus TG-870
• Best for Discreet Street Photography and Everyday Carry: Panasonic FP5
• Better for Macro Photography: Olympus TG-870
• More Versatile for Landscapes and Portraits: Olympus TG-870
• Casual Video and Family Clips: Olympus TG-870
• Budget-Constrained Users wanting Pocket-Sized Simplicity: Panasonic FP5

Concluding Thoughts: Which Ultracompact Camera Wins Your Wallet?

After testing these cameras extensively in varied conditions - from sun-drenched city streets to rainy mountain trails - the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 emerges as a stronger, more versatile ultracompact for a broad range of photographic pursuits. Its rugged body, higher-resolution display, superior autofocus, and better image quality combine to serve adventurous hobbyists or travel photographers well.

The Panasonic Lumix FP5, while admirably compact and easy to slip into a pocket, feels dated and limited in comparison. Its older sensor, slower AF, inferior screen, and lack of weather resistance restrict it mostly to casual indoor or urban snapshot use, especially in benign environments.

If your budget allows, and you want an ultracompact camera you can trust in more demanding situations - maybe a beach day, hiking, or even macro exploration - the TG-870 is the smarter investment. Conversely, if ultra-portability and minimal fuss are paramount and your photography needs are modest, the FP5 remains a viable, pocket-friendly option.

In either case, both echo an important truth: ultracompacts are all about trade-offs, balancing portability with limited control and image quality. Choosing the right one depends on your priorities and how you plan to shoot.

I hope this detailed side-by-side comparison helps you decide confidently which camera fits your photographic style and adventures best.

Happy shooting!