Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-5
91 Imaging
36 Features
42 Overall
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89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 230g - 111 x 67 x 29mm
- Revealed June 2013
(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
- Released June 2010
- New Model is Sony NEX-5N

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
On this page, we are looking at the Olympus TG-2 iHS versus Sony NEX-5, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the TG-2 iHS (12MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly close but the TG-2 iHS (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

The TG-2 iHS was introduced 3 years later than the NEX-5 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the TG-2 iHS scores versus the NEX-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus TG-2 iHS Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Sony NEX-5
TG-2 iHS | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2013 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 38 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS
NEX-5 | TG-2 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 610k | Sharper display (+310k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony NEX-5
TG-2 iHS | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-2 iHS provides physical dimensions of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Examine the Olympus TG-2 iHS versus Sony NEX-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the TG-2 iHS compared to the NEX-5.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-2 iHS and NEX-5 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Often, its hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching specs. The visual underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-2 iHS and NEX-5.
All in all, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The TG-2 iHS with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Sony NEX-5 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher TG-2 iHS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Category | Waterproof | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2013-06-28 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-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 | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3968 x 2976 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 25 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 610k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | OLED | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 230 gr (0.51 lbs) | 287 gr (0.63 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 350 photos | 330 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | Li-90B | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | - | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $380 | $599 |