Olympus TG-610 vs Sony NEX-5
93 Imaging
37 Features
37 Overall
37


89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Olympus TG-610 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
- 190g - 96 x 65 x 26mm
- Announced January 2011
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Revealed June 2010
- Replacement is Sony NEX-5N

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
In this article, we are matching up the Olympus TG-610 and Sony NEX-5, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-610 (14MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly close but the TG-610 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

The TG-610 was introduced 8 months later than the NEX-5 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-610 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the TG-610 scores against the NEX-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus TG-610 & Sony Alpha NEX-5. The whole galleries are available at Olympus TG-610 Gallery & Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-610 over the Sony NEX-5
TG-610 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | More recent by 8 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Olympus TG-610
NEX-5 | TG-610 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Olympus TG-610 and Sony NEX-5
TG-610 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 920k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly display |
Olympus TG-610 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-610 offers physical measurements of 96mm x 65mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Examine the Olympus TG-610 and Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-610 against the NEX-5.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-610 and NEX-5 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by viewing specs. The visual here might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-610 and NEX-5.
All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact resolution but not the same sensor measurements. The TG-610 includes the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF tougher. The newer TG-610 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Olympus TG-610 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus TG-610 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Type | Waterproof | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2011-01-06 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III+ | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 25 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/3.9-5.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 920k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.20 m | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 190g (0.42 lbs) | 287g (0.63 lbs) |
Dimensions | 96 x 65 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 1.0") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 69 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 210 photos | 330 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LI-50B | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $223 | $599 |