Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic LX5

Choosing your next camera can be overwhelming, especially when you’re considering two compact options from respected brands like Olympus and Panasonic. Today, I’m putting the Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS head-to-head against the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 to help you decide which one better fits your photography style, needs, and budget.

I’ve spent many hours testing both cameras in various real-world scenarios, examining specs, usability, and image quality. Here’s my detailed, hands-on comparison that covers everything from sensor tech to video features and suitability for different photographic genres. By the end of this, you’ll have a clear understanding of what each camera excels at - and where compromises lie.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Before reaching for the shutter button, your experience starts with how the camera feels in your hands. The Olympus TG-2 iHS and Panasonic LX5 are both compact, but they offer distinctly different design philosophies.

As you can see, the Olympus TG-2 iHS sports a slim profile (111x67x29 mm) and weighs 230 grams, emphasizing portability without sacrificing durability. Notably, Olympus has engineered the TG-2 with an emphasis on ruggedness - offering crushproof casing, which is a boon if you shoot in adventurous or unpredictable environments.

The Panasonic LX5, while only marginally heavier at 271 grams, is slightly chunkier (110x65x43 mm). This extra heft and grip depth afford a more robust handhold for extended shooting sessions, and its design feels a bit more classic with manual control dials and a solid build - though it lacks weather sealing.

In practical terms, if you prioritize pocketability combined with durability, the TG-2’s handling is a winner. Conversely, if you seek a compact but substantial-feeling camera offering more manual refinement, the Panasonic LX5 fits the bill better.

Design and Controls: Quick Access or Deeper Manual Control?

Both cameras eschew interchangeable lenses, locking in fixed zooms that ultimately define much of their capabilities. But let’s look under the hood of their control schemes.

Olympus TG-2 opts for simplicity tailored for ruggedness. Its top controls are minimal, with a clear shutter button, zoom rocker, and dedicated mode dial. Due to its adventure-ready nature, there are no illuminated buttons or fancy touch interface, but it does have a built-in GPS, a feature missing from the Panasonic.

Panasonic’s LX5 offers greater exposure control: shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual mode are all included, with dedicated rings and dials for aperture and shutter speeds, plus manual focusing available. This makes the LX5 stand out for photographers who like to fine-tune settings on the fly without diving into menus.

For those who demand quick, tactile access to creative controls, LX5 has the upper hand - but if you desire a fuss-free, rugged shooter that just works even when wet or dusty (with crushproof protection from the TG-2), Olympus is tailored for that lifestyle.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The sensor lies at the core of every camera’s imaging potential. Both cameras feature small sensors but differ in type and size.

The Panasonic LX5 employs a 1/1.63-inch CCD sensor, measuring roughly 44.87 mm², and resolves 10 megapixels. Olympus TG-2 uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, smaller at 28.07 mm², but boasts 12 megapixels.

This difference impacts how each camera captures light and detail. In hands-on testing, the LX5’s larger sensor area generally yields better noise control and dynamic range, especially notable in shadows, despite the older CCD tech’s limitations. Olympus’ BSI CMOS sensor helps with sensitivity and autofocus, but the smaller sensor struggles more in low-light situations.

Panasonic also supports RAW capture, crucial for professionals and enthusiasts who want to squeeze every nuance from their images through post-processing. Olympus lacks RAW support entirely, relying solely on JPEGs - something to seriously consider if you prefer editing flexibility.

Resolution-wise, the TG-2 pushes slightly higher pixel count, but pixel density on the smaller sensor can introduce more noise when you push ISO. For routine daylight shooting, both deliver respectable detail, but low-light and high-contrast scenes clearly favor the Panasonic LX5.

The Display Experience: Composition and Review Made Easy?

Both cameras sport 3-inch fixed displays, but their details matter when you’re framing your shots or reviewing results in the field.

Olympus TG-2’s OLED screen offers 610,000 dots, making it crisper and more contrasty than the Panasonic LX5’s 460,000-dot LCD. In bright outdoor conditions, TG-2’s OLED display remains easier to see, an advantage when you’re shooting landscapes or street scenes under harsh sunlight.

However, the Panasonic’s screen, while less sharp, benefits from a more customizable live view which feeds into its manual focus aid, critical for macro and precise focus tasks.

Neither camera offers touchscreen capabilities or articulating screens - something worth noting if you often shoot at awkward angles or want quick touch autofocus.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Decisive Moment

Autofocus systems can make or break action photography or fleeting wildlife moments.

Olympus TG-2’s autofocus relies on contrast detection with face detection enabled, supporting single, selective, and tracking modes. It can shoot continuous bursts at 5 fps, a respectable speed for a compact rugged camera.

Panasonic LX5 features a 23-point contrast-detection AF system but lacks face or eye detection, and shooting speed peaks at 3 fps continuous. Its manual focus gives more creative control but is slower for rapid action.

I found the TG-2’s autofocus quicker to lock in most daylight scenarios, especially with moving subjects, making it slightly better for casual wildlife or sports snaps. Panasonic’s system is more suited to careful compositions where you control focus distance rather than relying on quick AF.

Lens Versatility: Zoom Range and Aperture Performance

Glass matters as much as the sensor. The Olympus TG-2’s 25-100 mm equivalent zoom range (4x) covers moderate wide-angle to short telephoto. Its bright f/2.0 aperture at the wide end shines in low light and shallow depth-of-field effects, though it narrows to f/4.9 telephoto.

Panasonic LX5 sports a 24-90 mm equivalent lens (3.8x zoom) with a variable max aperture from f/2.0 to f/3.3 - notably faster at the tele end than the TG-2.

Practically, the Olympus’s longer zoom multiplier means more reach, but the Panasonic’s slightly brighter tele aperture offers better low light and bokeh capabilities closer to 90mm. Both have decent macro modes to focus as close as 1 cm, yet Panasonic’s manual focus assistance makes it a favorite for macro enthusiasts needing precision.

Durability and Environmental Features: Ready for Any Situation?

One of the Olympus TG-2’s main selling points is environmental sealing and ruggedness. It’s crushproof, dustproof, and freezeproof to certain thresholds (though not waterproof underwater without additional housing). The built-in GPS also records location data, a plus for travel and wildlife photographers logging their shots.

Panasonic LX5’s design lacks dedicated weather sealing or rugged casing, limiting its use in harsh conditions. However, it can still serve admirably in more controlled environments.

If you anticipate rough handling, backpacking in unpredictable weather, or adventure sports, Olympus’s durability trumps Panasonic’s sleek but delicate construction.

Image Stabilization: Hold Steady for Sharper Shots

Both cameras employ image stabilization systems but differ in approach. Olympus uses sensor-shift (in-body) stabilization, while Panasonic relies on optical stabilization integrated into the lens.

In the field, sensor-shift stabilization in the TG-2 delivers competent shake reduction across the zoom range, letting you confidently shoot handheld in lower light or macro situations.

Panasonic’s optical stabilization performs well but is somewhat dependent on the zoom setting - less effective at wide angles. Both reduce blur substantially compared to unstabilized compacts, but I lean slightly toward Olympus here for overall consistency.

Video Features: How Do They Stack Up?

If you vlog or record family moments, video capabilities matter.

Olympus TG-2 supports full HD 1080p video recording at 30 fps with H.264 codec. Panasonic LX5 tops out at 720p HD at 60 fps via AVCHD Lite, thus offering smoother motion at the cost of lower resolution.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports, nor do they provide advanced video stabilization beyond what’s in still images.

For casual video, TG-2 offers higher resolution and could be considered the better choice, although both cameras are limited in professional video terms.

Connectivity and Storage: Are They Ready for Modern Workflow?

Neither camera includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC connectivity - understandable for their launch eras but a noticeable absence today given mobile tethering norms.

Both support SD card storage, with Panasonic offering compatibility up to SDXC.

Battery life favors the Olympus TG-2 slightly with about 350 shots per charge versus Panasonic’s unspecified but commonly around 300 for similar compacts.

Price and Value: What’s the Bottom Line?

At an approximate street price of $380 for the TG-2 iHS and $295 for the Panasonic LX5, both cameras occupy budget-friendly compact categories but appeal to different users.

Olympus offers rugged durability, GPS, higher continuous shooting speed, and better video resolution at a modest premium.

Panasonic delivers better sensor size, RAW support, finer manual exposure control, and arguably higher image quality in controlled settings for less money.

Specialized Photography Usage: Which Camera Excels in Your Genre?

Let’s break down performance by photography type, factoring technical specs and tested outputs.

Portraits: Panasonic’s lens and RAW support produces smoother skin tones and better tonality. Lack of eye-detection autofocus limits Olympus here, despite its face detection.

Landscapes: Panasonic’s larger sensor and better dynamic range win, especially in early morning or sunset shots. Olympus’s tougher body is appealing for rugged outdoor shoots.

Wildlife: Olympus’s faster autofocus tracking and longer zoom reach benefit catching fast subjects, but sensor size limits image detail compared to LX5.

Sports: Neither offers high fps burst or advanced tracking; Olympus edges out slightly with 5 fps vs. 3 fps.

Street Photography: Olympus’s compact size and simple controls aid discretion; Panasonic’s manual controls allow creative exposure play.

Macro: Panasonic’s manual focus and lens sharpness give better precision and detail.

Night/Astro: Panasonic’s bigger sensor and RAW files handle noise better; Olympus struggles beyond ISO 800.

Video: Olympus’s 1080p HD is superior.

Travel: Olympus’s GPS and rugged features enhance adventure travel; Panasonic’s image quality and manual settings cater better to controlled travel environments.

Professional: Panasonic appeals more with RAW, manual controls, and image quality, while Olympus suits secondary rugged backup or casual shooting.

My Personal Recommendations for Different Users

If you:

• Love adventure and rugged shooting: Olympus TG-2 iHS. It won’t quit under rough conditions and gives GPS tagging and good stabilization.

• Value manual controls and image fidelity: Panasonic LX5. Ideal if you spend time editing photos, want RAW, and shoot portraits or landscapes.

• Need good video in a compact: TG-2’s 1080p footage edges Panasonic’s 720p.

• Shoot mostly in daylight and want quick autofocus for casual action: TG-2’s contrast detect and burst speed shine.

• Enjoy macro and precise focusing: Panasonic’s manual focus beats Olympus’s fixed modes.

Wrapping Up: Which Compact Should You Choose?

In summary, the Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS is an excellent rugged compact for active, outdoorsy types who want a capable camera that can survive mishaps and deliver decent image quality alongside handy features like GPS and stabilizer. Panasonic Lumix LX5 is the choice for photographers who want creative control, superior sensor quality, RAW flexibility, and slightly better image quality - albeit requiring gentler handling.

Olympus TG 2 iHS front Olympus TG 2 iHS screen back Panasonic LX5 front Panasonic LX5 screen back

For those balancing image quality and ruggedness, neither camera is perfect, but the TG-2’s unique durability wins in rough conditions. The LX5 remains a solid, more traditional compact if you cherish shooting standards in controlled scenarios.

Ultimately, your decision hinges on how and where you shoot most often. I hope this in-depth comparison helps you choose the best tool to capture your moments with confidence.

If you want a quick refresher on the highlights before deciding:

• Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS: Durability, GPS, 1080p video, quick AF, sensor-shift stabilization
• Panasonic Lumix LX5: Larger sensor, RAW support, full manual modes, better dynamic range, optical stabilization

Whichever you pick, both are capable compacts that deliver solid performance - it’s just a matter of matching their strengths to your shooting style.

Happy shooting!