Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic Lumix TS3: The Ultimate Waterproof Camera Showdown

When it comes to rugged, waterproof compact cameras, Olympus and Panasonic have long been reliable contenders. The Olympus Tough TG-5, launched in 2017, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, released way back in 2011, both target outdoor enthusiasts, underwater explorers, and anyone who needs a camera that can handle abuse without breaking a sweat. Despite their shared rugged pedigree, these two cameras represent different technological eras and philosophies. In this in-depth comparison, I’ll break down their performance, features, ergonomics, and real-world usability to help you decide which of these waterproof toughies best fits your photography needs.

From macro to sports, landscapes to nighttime adventures, I’ve tested both extensively in varied conditions - from a damp rainforest trail in Costa Rica to the shorelines of Maine. Together, we’ll explore how these cameras stack up technically and practically across every major photography discipline.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Design, Build, and Handling

Rugged cameras have to be more than just waterproof - they need to be shockproof, dustproof, crushproof, and comfortable to carry for long periods. The Olympus TG-5 and Panasonic TS3 both check many of these boxes but differ in form factor and design nuances.

The TG-5 measures 113x66x32 mm and weighs around 250g, while the TS3 is somewhat smaller and lighter at 103x64x27 mm and 197g. Despite the Panasonic’s smaller size, Olympus’s TG-5 feels sturdier in hand thanks to its rubberized grip and well-contoured body. Its buttons and dials are larger and more tactile, which proved a boon when fiddling with settings wearing gloves on chilly mornings. The TS3’s controls are smaller and less spaced out, occasionally leading to finger cramps during lengthier shoots.

On top, both cameras keep things simple but functional.

The TG-5’s top plate features a dedicated exposure compensation button and a more refined mode dial, whereas the TS3 simplifies with fewer buttons and no dedicated exposure controls - reflecting its more entry-level rugged intent.

Both are impressively sealed against moisture and debris, with Olympus adding crushproof capabilities that Panasonic omits. The TG-5’s freezeproof rating (-10°C) also slightly edges out the TS3 (-10°C but without crushproof). For serious expedition photographers, these enhanced durability specs matter in the field.

Sensor and Image Quality: More than Just Megapixels

Digging under the hood is where the TG-5 immediately shows its evolution over the TS3. Both feature the ever-popular 1/2.3" sensor size, but technology and resolution specs help separate them.

• Olympus TG-5: 12MP BSI-CMOS sensor, TruePic VIII processor
• Panasonic TS3: 12MP CCD sensor, Venus Engine FHD processor

The TG-5’s sensor benefits from back-illumination (BSI) technology, improving light gathering and low-light performance over the older TS3’s CCD. BSI sensors have become standard in compact cameras after early limitations of CCDs in noise and speed - something that shows up in our low-light testing.

Speaking of resolution, both capture similar 4000x3000 pixel images, sufficient for good-sized prints and cropping flexibility. However, the TG-5’s newer sensor yields better dynamic range and color depth, contributing to punchier yet natural colors and improved shadow detail. The Olympus also supports shooting RAW files for photographers who want maximum post-processing latitude, whereas the TS3 locks you into JPEG only.

In practical landscape shoots, these differences matter. The TG-5 captured richer tonal gradations in scenes with sky-to-forested gradients, while the TS3 occasionally clipped highlights and lackluster greens held less vibrancy.

Display and User Interface: Seeing Your Shot

Next, the LCD is your portal to framing and reviewing shots - a reminder that rugged cameras aren’t just tough but need to remain user-friendly.

The TG-5 boasts a 3-inch LCD at 460k dots, which is brighter and sharper than the TS3’s 2.7-inch 230k dot TFT display. The enhanced resolution on the TG-5 shines on sunny days, greatly improving visibility under direct sunlight - a common snag for outdoor photographers. Neither camera offers a touchscreen, but the TG-5’s menus are faster and better organized.

Notably, neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder, so composing in bright conditions relies on the rear screen. This is less than ideal, but given the size and rugged nature of these compacts, it’s an understandable compromise.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Catching the Action

Waterproof cameras have historically lagged behind DSLRs or mirrorless models for high-speed action due to sensor and processor constraints. But in the rugged realm, autofocus speed and accuracy still matter for wildlife and sports shooting.

• Olympus TG-5:

  • 25 contrast-detection autofocus points
  • Face detection autofocus
  • Continuous AF and AF tracking available
  • Burst shooting at up to 20 fps

• Panasonic TS3:

  • 11 contrast-detection autofocus points
  • No face detection
  • Continuous AF and AF tracking
  • Burst shooting at up to 4 fps

The TG-5 clearly pulls ahead here, with more AF points covering the frame and advanced features like face detection helping lock onto human subjects. In wildlife testing - photographing bustling birds in the garden - the TG-5 tracked movement fluidly, delivering more keepers. The TS3 lagged occasionally, with hunting for focus points leading to missed moments.

High frame-rate burst mode on the TG-5 (20 fps) proved handy for sports and wildlife, capturing action sequences with fewer dropped frames, while the TS3’s 4 fps felt slow and constrained by today’s standards.

Photography Across Genres: Testing Performance and Image Output

Let’s take a closer look now at how these two tough cameras perform across photography genres most relevant to their users.

Portrait Photography

Skin tones and bokeh quality are often challenges on small-sensor compact cameras. The TG-5’s lens is marginally faster at f/2.0 at the wide end compared to the TS3’s f/3.3, enabling better subject isolation and shallow depth of field effects - important for flattering portraits.

The TG-5’s face detection AF is reliable, speeding up focus on eyes and faces in most lighting. The TS3’s lack of face detect reduces accuracy in this category.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution are key here. The TG-5’s improved sensor and RAW capture offer more latitude for editing shadows and highlights without major quality loss. Additionally, Olympus’s built-in GPS and compass functions are a boon for geotagging adventure shots.

Weather sealing is excellent on both, but TG-5’s freezeproof and crushproof ratings provide extra peace of mind on rugged landscape excursions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Autofocus speed and burst rate dominate this category. The TG-5 delivers with its fast, more sophisticated AF system and 20 fps burst shooting enabling sharper images of fast-moving subjects. In contrast, TS3 stumbles with slower focusing and limited burst capabilities.

Street Photography

Here, discretion and portability matter. The TS3’s smaller size and lighter weight might appeal for street use, though neither camera is particularly compact compared to modern mirrorless offerings.

Both cameras lack silent shutter modes, which could be a deal-breaker for shooting in quiet environments.

Macro Photography

Olympus touts its TG-5’s impressive 1 cm macro focus capability coupled with focus stacking and bracketing features - tools unheard of in the TS3. These functions help create sharper close-ups with extended depth of field, useful for nature macro work.

The TS3 can focus as close as 5 cm but lacks these computational aids, making macro less flexible yet still capable.

Night and Astrophotography

The TG-5’s higher max ISO of 12800 (versus 6400 on the TS3) and better noise control make it the better choice for night and astro. Olympus’s “Night Scene” mode combined with its sensor-shift stabilization aids longer exposures without handheld shake.

The TS3 produces noisier low-light images with less detail, limiting its usefulness beyond casual flashes of nighttime scenes.

Video Recording

• TG-5: 4K UHD at 30p (102 Mbps), H.264 codec
• TS3: Full HD 1080p at 60p; no 4K support

Video enthusiasts interested in crisp UHD imagery will favor the TG-5’s 4K recording capability. Both cameras lack microphone and headphone ports, keeping audio flexibility limited. However, TG-5’s superior image stabilization greatly improves handheld video smoothness.

Travel Photography

The TG-5 caters well to travel photographers who demand durability, versatility (macro, landscape, video), and GPS data logging. Although a bit heavier, the rugged package and longer battery life of 340 shots versus the TS3’s 310 translate to better on-the-go reliability.

The TS3, with its lighter frame and simpler controls, suits casual travelers wanting a rugged grab-and-go camera without extra bells and whistles.

Professional Use

Neither camera is a professional shooter by design, but for rugged fieldwork documentation, TG-5’s RAW support, detailed controls, and superior JPEG output give it a slight edge for professionals needing quick-use durability with image quality.

Technical Deep Dive: Lenses, Stabilization, and Connectivity

Both cameras come with fixed lenses but differ significantly in optical zoom and aperture range.

• TG-5: 25-100mm equivalent (4x zoom), f/2.0-4.9 aperture
• TS3: 28-128mm equivalent (4.6x zoom), f/3.3-5.9 aperture

While TS3 offers longer reach at the telephoto end, the TG-5’s wider aperture at the wide end means better light-gathering for general photography and improved shallow depth of field.

Image stabilization is crucial for handheld shooting underwater or on uneven terrain:

• TG-5 uses sensor-shift stabilization, effective for both stills and video.
• TS3 relies on optical stabilization in the lens assembly.

In practice, I found the TG-5’s stabilization smoother and more versatile, especially noticeable in handheld macro shots and shaky video.

Olympus TG 5 front Olympus TG 5 screen back Panasonic TS3 front Panasonic TS3 screen back

Regarding connectivity, the TG-5 integrates built-in WiFi and GPS, which vastly improves workflow by enabling direct image transfer and geotagging. The TS3 lacks wireless features entirely, depending on wired USB 2.0 for transfer and basic built-in GPS for location tagging.

Evaluating Battery Life and Storage

Olympus claims about 340 shots per charge (TG-5) compared to Panasonic’s 310 shots (TS3) under normal conditions. My experience confirms modest but meaningful stamina gains for the TG-5, particularly beneficial on long hikes or dives.

Both utilize SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with TG-5 supporting the faster UHS-I standard, speeding buffer clearing and write times.

Putting It All Together: Performance Scores and Value

Let’s distill the comparison into easily digestible overall and genre-specific ratings based on extensive testing:

• The Olympus TG-5 scores higher overall, driven by superior sensor tech, autofocus, video, and durability.
• The Panasonic TS3 remains competitive for shooters on a strict budget or those seeking lighter carry weight with basic rugged features.

Who Should Choose Olympus TG-5?

If your photography demands center on:

• Diverse shooting modes including macro and night photography
• 4K video capture and image stabilization
• Weatherproofing that withstands crushing and freeze temperatures
• Onboard WiFi and GPS integration
• RAW shooting and advanced controls for post-processing flexibility

Then the Olympus TG-5 is the clear choice. It’s the more future-proof, versatile rugged camera perfect for serious enthusiasts and adventure photographers. It also nicely balances portability with durable ergonomics.

Who Should Stick with Panasonic TS3?

The Panasonic TS3 will appeal if you:

• Want a rugged camera at a more wallet-friendly price
• Prefer a smaller and lighter camera body above all else
• Don’t require RAW support or 4K video
• Mostly shoot in good light and casual environments
• Seek a straightforward setup with fewer bells and whistles

The TS3 is still a competent tough camera, particularly for casual divers, campers, or families wanting something simple and hardy for trips.

Final Thoughts: Technology Advancements Make a Difference

Comparing the seven-year gap between these cameras reveals how sensor and processing improvements refine the rugged camera experience without sacrificing toughness. The TG-5 elevates the concept with faster autofocus, richer image quality, broader shooting modes, and modern connectivity while preserving solid ergonomics and ruggedness.

While the TS3 served well in its day and might still be a bargain for some, Olympus TG-5’s mature feature set and performance make it the wise investment for anyone serious about demanding outdoor photography.

Photography gear is all about matching your tools to how, where, and what you shoot. Both cameras have their place, but in our tests, the OG Olympus Tough TG-5 truly lives up to its name as tough, versatile, and capable.

Happy shooting - may your next adventure be both rugged and rewarding!

If you want to see side-by-side sample images or get further details on specific features, feel free to reach out. I’m always eager to talk shop with fellow photography enthusiasts.

Appendix: Summary Specs at a Glance

Thank you for reading this exhaustive Olympus Tough TG-5 vs Panasonic Lumix TS3 comparison. Whether your next camera hunt leads you down Olympus’s innovative route or Panasonic’s simpler rugged path, I hope this guide has illuminated your decision with practical insights and firsthand experience.

Safe travels and sharper images ahead!