Olympus TG-5 vs. Samsung ST700: The Ultimate Compact Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right compact camera can be tricky, especially when you balance features, durability, image quality, and budget. Today, we take an in-depth look at two intriguing models from different generations and categories: the rugged Olympus Tough TG-5 (2017) and the ultracompact Samsung ST700 (2011). While they might appear to target different users, a careful comparison reveals unique strengths and certain trade-offs in every photography discipline and use case.

Drawing from years of hands-on testing and thousands of camera evaluations, we'll break down these two models based on real-world performance, technical prowess, and how they stand up to the demands of today’s photography enthusiasts and professionals. Whether you want rugged adventure-ready gear, or a stylish pocketable point-and-shoot for casual use, this comparison will arm you with expert insights to confidently pick your next camera.

Exploring the Camera Designs: Size, Ergonomics, and Control Layout

Before diving into specs, handling and ergonomics shape how you interact with your camera in the wild or on the go. The Olympus TG-5 champions a robust, weather-sealed build meant for tough conditions, while the Samsung ST700 embraces minimalism for everyday carry.

Olympus TG-5

• Dimensions: 113 x 66 x 32 mm
• Weight: 250g
• Ruggedized body: Waterproof (up to 15m), shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof
• Solid grip with easy-to-operate buttons but no touchscreen
• Designed for use with gloves, adventure, and outdoor sports

Samsung ST700

• Dimensions: 99 x 55 x 20 mm
• Weight: Not officially listed, but noticeably lighter
• Sleek, ultracompact body focusing on portability and discretion
• Touchscreen enabled for more modern UI experience
• No weather sealing or rugged features

The TG-5’s chunkier form factor reflects its protective features and manual controls tailored for purpose-driven shooting. The ST700, in contrast, prioritizes travel light and casual shooting, fitting neatly into pockets without extra bulk. If you shoot in harsh environments, the TG-5’s build is invaluable. For urbane street photographers or daily snapshots, the ST700’s reduced footprint wins for convenience.

Moving to top controls:

With the TG-5, you get direct access to aperture priority mode and quick zoom controls, giving flexibility on the fly. Samsung’s ST700 lacks physical dials for manual modes, which limits creative control but streamlines operation for beginners.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: Comparing the Foundations of Your Photos

Image quality comes down mainly to image sensor performance and lens quality. Both cameras use 1/2.3-inch sensors but vary in sensor tech and resolution. Let’s analyze their impact.

The TG-5’s backside illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor represents a significant step forward in sensitivity and noise control compared to the older CCD sensor in the ST700. This proprietary TruePic VIII processor in Olympus optimizes image sharpness, reduces artifacts, and achieves impressive dynamic range for its class. You’ll find the TG-5 better suited for low-light and high-contrast scenes thanks to higher ISO flexibility and raw shootability. The ST700’s 16MP sensor yields higher resolution images on paper, but limited ISO range and noise control mean image quality degrades faster in challenging lighting.

In real-world use, the TG-5 consistently delivers cleaner images with richer colors and nuanced detail, especially in dim or high-contrast environments. The ST700 may resolve more pixels in bright light but struggles in shadowed or high-ISO scenarios.

Behind the Screen: Interface and Live View Experience

The rear LCD screen is your main window during composition, review, and menu navigation. How usable, bright, and detailed the display is can make or break your shooting experience.

Olympus attempts to offset no touchscreen with physical buttons that are responsive and logically laid out. The TG-5’s higher-resolution LCD delivers better clarity for focusing and reviewing details, which is crucial for advanced users who want to critically examine images on the spot. Samsung’s ST700 offers touchscreen convenience but at a lower resolution that can make judging focus and exposure less precise.

From a workflow standpoint, the TG-5 feels like a camera designed with serious shooters in mind, whereas the ST700 is more beginner-friendly and casual.

Autofocus and Zoom: Speed, Accuracy, and Macro Capabilities

Autofocus speed and precision impact your ability to capture fleeting moments and detailed close-ups. Here, the TG-5’s modern contrast-detection AF system beats the typical performance of older compacts.

• Olympus TG-5:

  • 25 AF points, face detection, continuous AF
  • Macro focus distance as close as 1 cm - excellent for close-up work
  • Focus bracketing and stacking features improve macro depth-of-field control

• Samsung ST700:

  • Basic AF with no continuous or face detection
  • Manual focus not supported
  • No macro-specific modes reported

The Olympus TG-5’s AF tracking and selectable focus points allow confidence when shooting moving wildlife or sports action, while the Samsung ST700 is better suited for fixed subjects and casual snapshots.

On zoom range, TG-5 offers an equivalent 25-100mm lens with a bright F2.0 aperture at wide end - favorable for portraits and low light. The Samsung’s specs lack tangible aperture info, but zoom capability is generally more limited and less versatile.

Photography in Action: How They Perform Across Genres

Now, let’s apply these technical differences to popular photography types - vital for matching camera capabilities to user needs.

Portrait Photography

• TG-5: The F2.0 wide aperture helps produce pleasant background separation and subject isolation. Eye-detection AF aids sharp focus, preserving detail in skin textures and expressions. The 12MP sensor balances resolution with dynamic range to retain skin tone nuances.
• ST700: Without manual aperture control or face detection, portrait possibilities are limited. Resulting images lack creamy bokeh and precise focus, often producing flatter renderings.

Landscape Photography

• TG-5: Excellent for vivid landscapes thanks to wide ISO range, 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, and weather sealing. Sensor-shift image stabilization aids handheld shooting and focus stacking enhances depth-of-field creativity.
• ST700: Suitable for bright, casual landscape shots but limited by lack of raw, no weather sealing, and lower dynamic range.

Wildlife Photography

• TG-5: Continuous AF, 20 fps burst rate, and rugged body promote action and outdoor wildlife shots. The 4x zoom, though modest, extends reach, and robust AF tracking helps maintain focus on moving subjects.
• ST700: No continuous AF or burst modes, limiting use for wildlife.

Sports Photography

• TG-5: Fast 1/2000 max shutter speed, continuous AF, and solid burst capability make it surprisingly capable for casual sports. Sensor-shift stabilization adds to low-light potential.
• ST700: Shutter speed is long enough for daylight but continuous shooting and AF lack make sports use impractical.

Street Photography

• TG-5: Slightly bulky but the rugged body allows shooting in varied weather. Lacks touchscreen but physical controls offer discretion once familiar.
• ST700: Compactness, touchscreen interface, and understated design suit street shooters who value portability and quick operation.

Macro Photography

• TG-5: Dedicated macro mode with 1cm focusing, plus focus stacking and bracketing features, give it a clear edge for close-up and insect photography.
• ST700: No macro mode and limited focusing capabilities restrict close-up work.

Night and Astrophotography

• TG-5: High ISO up to 12800, long exposure capabilities, and sensor-based stabilization enable handheld night shots and star trails with proper settings.
• ST700: Limited ISO control and lack of raw support diminish low-light photo quality.

Video Capabilities

The TG-5’s 4K recording at a decent bitrate and in-body image stabilization surpass the ST700’s basic 720p video. For vloggers and hybrid shooters, the TG-5 offers higher-quality video capture with less blur, albeit modest accessory support.

Durability, Battery Life, and Portability: Ready for Any Situation?

The Olympus TG-5’s rugged credentials include waterproofing, shock resistance, and freezing capability, perfect for adventurous photographers. It uses a rechargeable LI-92B battery rated for approximately 340 shots, decent for its class with integrated GPS and Wi-Fi. Storage accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards supporting UHS-I, offering good versatility.

Samsung ST700 lacks environmental sealing and wireless connectivity. Battery life information is unavailable but expected to be modest given no proprietary battery specs revealed. It also supports a single SD card slot but no higher-speed options.

While the TG-5’s 250g weight and bulk are trade-offs, they come with professional-grade protection. The ST700’s slim body favors casual travel and discreet shooting but at the cost of fragile exposure to elements.

Lens Systems and Expandability

Neither camera supports interchangeable lenses; both have fixed zoom lenses with about 4x optical zoom and roughly 25-100mm equivalency. Olympus, however, has optimized the TG-5’s optics for brightness and macro, suitable for more diverse photographic challenges.

In terms of accessories, the TG-5 supports underwater housings and various lens options designed for rugged use, expanding creative possibilities. The ST700’s ecosystem is minimal due to age and market positioning.

Connectivity, Wireless Features & Workflow Integration

Wireless image transfer and remote control are essential for fast workflows today. The Olympus TG-5 includes Wi-Fi and built-in GPS, enabling instant image sharing, geotagging, and remote shooting via smartphone apps. USB 2.0 and micro HDMI ports facilitate direct offloading and external display use.

Samsung ST700 offers none of these modern conveniences. No wireless options or HDMI output limit workflow flexibility and remote usage.

Price-to-Performance Analysis: What You Get for Your Investment

The TG-5 is higher priced but justifiably so for its technology, durability, and versatility. For professional use or serious hobbyists, the investment adds value in reliability and feature richness. The ST700 remains a budget-friendly compact for casual shooters but is dated and less capable overall.

Seeing is Believing: Sample Images from Both Cameras

To truly appreciate these differences, here are side-by-side shots showcasing detail, color rendition, and bokeh in similar scenes:

Olympus TG 5 front Olympus TG 5 screen back Samsung ST700 front Samsung ST700 screen back

Notice how the TG-5 exhibits richer color fidelity and sharper detail in the portrait and macro shots. The ST700 struggles with noise and softer rendering, especially in shadow areas. The landscape images reflect higher dynamic range on the Olympus, maintaining texture in skies and foliage.

Summarizing the Scores: Overall and Genre-Specific Ratings

Putting all factors together yields these performance assessments:

Delving deeper by photography type:

• Portrait: TG-5 leads comfortably
• Landscape: TG-5 excels with dynamic range and durability
• Wildlife & Sports: TG-5 is much more capable
• Street: ST700 benefits from compactness for some users
• Macro & Night: TG-5 extends capabilities significantly
• Video & Travel: TG-5’s modern specs give it the edge

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Choose the Olympus TG-5 if:

• You want a rugged, adventure-ready camera that can handle diving, hiking, or harsh conditions.
• You prioritize image quality at varied light levels with raw capability.
• Macro photography, 4K video, and versatile shooting modes matter.
• Wireless connectivity and GPS enhance your shooting workflow.
• You shoot wildlife, sports, or landscapes requiring burst and continuous AF.

Choose the Samsung ST700 if:

• You need an ultracompact, easy-to-use camera for casual snapshots.
• You want a touchscreen interface on a small budget.
• Portability and discretion matter more than manual controls or durability.
• Your photography needs are limited to bright light and simple composition.

Final Thoughts: Unlocking Your Creative Potential

Ultimately, the Olympus Tough TG-5 and Samsung ST700 signify two ends of the compact camera spectrum. TG-5 stands out as a mature, purpose-built tool for photographers who demand toughness, flexibility, and quality without stepping into mirrorless or DSLR territory. Its advanced sensor technology, AF system, and creative features earn lasting value.

The Samsung ST700 reflects dated technology outpaced by modern smartphones and compacts. It’s best suited as a straightforward, ultracompact shooter for beginners or collectors interested in toy-like cameras, but unlikely to satisfy those wanting superior performance or creativity.

As you consider your options, think not just about specifications but about how you shoot, what environments you frequent, and the images you aspire to create. I encourage you to check out both cameras hands-on if possible, or evaluate sample images and user reviews that closely match your style.

For many photographers venturing beyond smartphones, the TG-5 is a fun, capable companion that fosters exploration - precisely what great gear should do.

Whether you’re diving into macro photography, trekking wild landscapes, or snapping street life, understanding the tools deeply will help you express your vision with confidence. Keep experimenting and keep creating!

YourNextCameraAwaits

If you’re intrigued by rugged cameras or want to explore compact photography further, I recommend checking out accessory options like underwater housings for the TG-5, and external flashes or tripods that work well with these systems. Hands-on experience is the best teacher - so get out there and start capturing!