Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic GH2: A Definitive Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Selecting the right camera is no trivial task - particularly when the contenders target vastly different photographic niches. The Olympus Tough TG-5 and Panasonic Lumix GH2 are two cameras that, while sharing a common 3-inch screen and some overlapping specs, fundamentally serve distinct purposes. Yet, both remain compelling options within their price points, boasting unique capabilities for adventurous photographers and storytellers alike.

Having spent hundreds of hours testing compact rugged cameras and mirrorless systems, I’m embarking on a detailed comparison of these models. Equipped with hands-on testing data, technical breakdowns, and real-world performance insights, this article aims to clarify where each camera shines - and where it falls short - across a variety of photography disciplines, from wildlife to landscape to video.

Throughout, I’ll integrate the full 7-image suite to illustrate points on ergonomics, sensor tech, user interfaces, and more. Read on for an expert guide to these cameras that goes beyond spec sheets - so you can choose confidently based on your specific shooting needs.

1. First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling Feel

When I first picked up the Olympus TG-5, its compact, rugged form factor immediately stood out. Designed as a tough waterproof point-and-shoot, its body measures just 113 x 66 x 32 mm and weighs 250 grams - exceptionally small and light for waterproof gear. This camera clearly aims at adventurers who want a durable, pocketable tool that can survive harsh environments.

The Panasonic GH2, in contrast, screams “advanced mirrorless.” It’s larger and heavier (124 x 90 x 76 mm; 442 grams), with a substantial SLR-style grip and a classic Micro Four Thirds camera silhouette. This size affords better manual control, especially when paired with a variety of lenses.

Here’s a visual comparison to put this into context:

You can see the TG-5's slim, squat design contrasts strongly with the GH2’s bulkier, photographer-friendly layout. In hand, the TG-5 feels nimble yet sturdy, while the GH2 offers more heft and a tactile grip that’s ideal for longer shoots or heavier lenses.

Ergonomically, both cameras sport 3-inch LCDs at 460k-dot resolution, but the GH2 offers a fully articulated touchscreen - a boon for video operators and creative angles. The TG-5’s fixed, non-touch screen keeps interfaces simple.

That size and build difference foreshadows a fundamental divide: TG-5 for durability and pocketability; GH2 for control and versatility.

2. Sensor Technology & Image Quality: Bite-Sized vs. Micro Four Thirds

Digging deeper into the hearts of these cameras - their sensors - reveals the biggest performance gap.

The Olympus TG-5 sports a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55mm, 12 megapixels). This type matches sensors found in most compact cameras and smartphones, optimized for sharpness and noiseless images in good lighting but penalized in low light and dynamic range.

The Panasonic GH2 boasts a much larger Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm, 16 megapixels). This translates directly into superior image quality, deeper tones, better dynamic range, and improved noise handling - essentials for professional work or serious enthusiasts.

To illustrate these differences clearly, here’s a sensor size comparison:

In real-world shooting, this size differential manifests as follows:

• Dynamic Range: GH2’s sensor can often capture 11+ stops of dynamic range (per DXO data), providing more detail retention in shadows and highlights. The TG-5’s sensor is more limited, often clipping highlights in landscapes or struggling with bright skies.

• Color Depth: The GH2’s deeper 21.2-bit color depth yields richer, more natural skin tones and gradations, which is crucial for portrait and event photography.

• ISO Performance: The GH2 holds up well up to ISO 1600–3200 for clean results; TG-5’s smaller sensor starts to show noise and degradation past ISO 800.

In brief, the GH2 is far more capable for demanding image quality needs, while the TG-5’s sensor suits casual use and well-lit scenarios.

3. Autofocus Systems and Speed: Contrast-Detect Challenges vs. More Flexible Options

Autofocus determines how well a camera locks onto your subject - critical for wildlife, sports, and street photography.

• Olympus TG-5: Uses a contrast-detection AF system with 25 focus points and face detection. It also offers continuous AF and tracking modes but is limited by the small sensor and processor’s constraints; focus hunting can occur in low light.

• Panasonic GH2: Employs 23 contrast-detection points with face and selective area AF, coupled with more traditional mirrorless system flexibility. It supports continuous AF and tracking, but lacks phase detection AF.

While neither camera features advanced phase-detection or hybrid AF technology (common in newer models), in practice:

• The TG-5 shines in quick, daylight snaps on static or slow-moving subjects - like macro close-ups or underwater shots - but its contrast AF can falter with erratic subjects or low light.

• The GH2, though slower than modern mirrorless cameras, provides generally reliable focusing, especially when using contrast-optimized lenses in available light, making it better for casual portraits and street photography.

Neither will satisfy professional sports shooters hungry for lightning-fast, continuous tracking, but the GH2 has modest advantages due to its lens versatility and mirrorless design.

4. Lens Options & Compatibility: Fixed Zoom vs. Micro Four Thirds Ecosystem

Lens availability often determines a camera’s long-term value.

The Olympus TG-5 sports a fixed 25–100mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.0–4.9 zoom lens, designed for rugged use. It excels at versatility - wide to moderate telephoto - with a close 1cm macro focus range (perfect for detailed shots of insects or textures). Its image stabilization (sensor-shift) helps offset shake.

But, the fixed lens means no upgrades or swapping - a defining tradeoff for waterproof compacts.

The Panasonic GH2 connects to the Micro Four Thirds mount, supported by over 100 lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, Sigma, and others. This includes primes, zooms, macro, ultra-wide, and high-speed telephotos.

That lens ecosystem greatly enhances GH2’s adaptability for:

• Portraits with creamy bokeh

• Wildlife and sports with telephotos

• Macro work with dedicated optics

• Landscapes with ultra-wide options

Plus, many lenses feature optical stabilization, complementing GH2’s solid base.

To summarize lens versatility for different photography types:

• TG-5: Waterproof zoom lens with macro, all-in-one for rugged, everyday shooting.

• GH2: Expansive lineup enabling genre-specific lens choices - a trojan horse for serious creative control.

5. Ergonomics and User Interface: Controls, Screens, and Usability

Using a camera should feel intuitive, especially on fast-paced shoots.

Here’s a top-down look at the TG-5 and GH2 control layouts:

The TG-5 keeps things straightforward with minimal buttons - geared for quick durability and ease for novices or underwater shooting. It lacks touch input, and menus can feel somewhat pared down.

The GH2 caters to enthusiasts with more dedicated dials (mode, exposure compensation), customizable buttons, and a fully articulated touchscreen LCD - ideal for composing at awkward angles or selfie-friendly shooting. The GH2’s electronic viewfinder also adds precision framing in bright outdoor conditions.

Additional screen/interface comparison highlights:

Overall:

• For casual or rugged use: TG-5’s simple layout wins points for durability and speed.

• For manual control and flexibility: GH2’s tactile dials, touchscreen, and EVF elevate user experience, aiding advanced shooting styles.

6. Ruggedness, Weather Sealing, and Durability

One cannot discuss the TG-5’s identity without emphasizing its build.

• Waterproof to 15m (50 ft)

• Shockproof to 2.1m drops

• Crushproof to 100kgf

• Freezeproof to -10°C

• Dustproof sealing throughout body

These specs make it perfect for mountaineers, scuba divers, and field scientists. For shoots in wet, rough environments, the TG-5 offers peace of mind that no mirrorless or DSLR in this class can match without bulky housing.

The GH2, while solidly built, lacks any environmental sealing and should be treated as a studio or fair-weather camera. It’s vulnerable to dust, moisture, and shocks.

7. Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s evaluate both cameras’ strengths across major photography disciplines, focusing on practical user experience.

Portrait Photography

• TG-5: Limited by small sensor and fixed lens, but f/2 aperture at wide end produces decent background separation in close-up portraits. Face detection helps, but bokeh quality is limited.

• GH2: Larger sensor plus myriad fast primes offer much better skin tone rendition, creamy bokeh, and manual focus control. I’ve gotten professional-quality headshots from the GH2 with proper lenses.

Landscape Photography

• TG-5: Great for rugged landscapes in good light; built-in GPS tags shots, but sensor size restricts detail and dynamic range.

• GH2: Superior dynamic range captures sunrise/sunset scenes well, and interchangeable ultra-wide lenses excel for sweeping vistas.

Wildlife Photography

• TG-5: Quick focusing at times but limited telephoto reach and slower continuous shooting hamper action shots.

• GH2: With telephoto lenses and 3 fps burst, it can handle casual wildlife but not competitive sports speeds.

Sports Photography

• TG-5: Burst rate is high at 20 fps but with caveats - buffer limitations and focus lag reduce usefulness.

• GH2: Burst speed of 3 fps is modest; autofocus not optimized for fast tracking, so not ideal.

Street Photography

• TG-5: Excellent stealth and portability; silent shutter mode makes candid shots easy.

• GH2: Larger and noisier, but articulated screen enables creative framing.

Macro Photography

• TG-5: Macro focus down to 1 cm with great detail; sensor shift stabilization aids hand-held close-ups.

• GH2: Better with dedicated macro lenses, offering superior resolution and focus precision, but requires carrying extra glass.

Night and Astro Photography

• TG-5: Small sensor introduces noise at high ISO, limiting low-light performance.

• GH2: Taller dynamic range and native ISO handle night scenes and astro shots better; bulb mode supports long exposures.

Video Capabilities

• TG-5: 4K video recording at 30p (MOV/H.264), sensor-shift stabilization, but no microphone input.

• GH2: 1080p video up to 60 fps, AVCHD and Motion JPEG codecs, includes microphone port for external audio; lacks modern 4K but remains usable for casual work.

Travel Photography

• TG-5: Waterproof and rugged, perfect for hiking, snorkeling, and rough conditions without extra gear.

• GH2: Versatile but heavier; better suited for organized trips where gear protection is manageable.

Professional Workflows

• TG-5: RAW support helps image tweaking, but limited manual exposure control may frustrate pros.

• GH2: Full manual modes, exposure compensation, and RAW facilitate integration into professional post-processing pipelines.

8. Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance is closely matched:

• TG-5: approx. 340 shots per charge

• GH2: roughly 330 shots per charge

Both use proprietary rechargeable battery packs, with the GH2 relying on standard SD card storage (SD/SDHC/SDXC), while the TG-5 supports UHS-I cards for faster write speeds.

9. Connectivity Features

Connectivity is an area where the TG-5 holds an edge for on-the-go users:

• TG-5: Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS enable geotagging and quick wireless image transfer.

• GH2: No wireless features - transfers rely on tethering or card readers.

10. Pricing and Value Analysis

At launch, the TG-5 was priced around $449, positioning it as an affordable rugged compact. The GH2 debuted near $999, reflecting its more advanced feature set.

Given their age, street prices have shifted - TG-5 offers great value for dependable waterproof performance without breaking the bank; GH2 remains a solid used-market mirrorless option for video enthusiasts and amateur photographers willing to invest in lenses.

Here’s a summarized overall rating comparison based on our test metrics:

And a breakdown by photography genre:

11. Sample Gallery: Image Quality in Action

To conclude the technical discussion, here’s a side-by-side sample image gallery demonstrating the two cameras in their typical environments:

Olympus TG 5 front Olympus TG 5 screen back Panasonic GH2 front Panasonic GH2 screen back

Observe how GH2 frames a crisp mountain range with vivid, natural colors and shadow detail, while the TG-5 captures underwater macro shots with sharpness and vibrant saturation, all without housing.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

The Olympus Tough TG-5 is the go-to for active photographers who require a highly durable, waterproof camera that’s easy to carry on adventures - think divers, hikers, or outdoor researchers. Its strong macro capabilities, high burst mode, and rugged body make it an unmatched tool in this segment, although its small sensor limits professional image quality.

The Panasonic GH2 is a venerable workhorse for enthusiasts wanting a compact mirrorless that supports creative lens choices and superior image quality. It holds up well for portraits, landscapes, and casual video despite missing modern autofocus sophistication and 4K video. Its size and lack of weather sealing make it best for controlled environments or travel.

Who Should Buy the Olympus TG-5?

• You want a do-anything, withstand-anything camera for harsh environments.

• Macro and underwater photography are priorities.

• You prefer pocketable gear with simple controls.

• Video at 4K resolution and built-in GPS/Wi-Fi appeal to you.

Who Should Buy the Panasonic GH2?

• You demand higher image quality and manual exposure options.

• You want access to a broad lens ecosystem.

• Portrait, landscape, and video work are your focus.

• Gear size and fragility are less concerning.

Choosing between them boils down to your shooting style and environment. I hope this comprehensive breakdown, based on detailed testing and technical scrutiny, makes your decision clearer.

Feel free to reach out if you want test files or further lens recommendations - after all, picking the right camera is the first step in crafting enduring photographic art.