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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Announced May 2017
  • Earlier Model is Olympus TG-4
  • Refreshed by Olympus TG-6
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Renewed by Sony A9 II
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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9 Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the TG-5 (12MP) and A9 (24MP) and the TG-5 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-5 was revealed about the same time to the A9 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the TG-5 matches up vs the A9 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Sony A9

 TG-5 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Olympus TG-5

 A9 TG-5 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kSharper display (+980k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus TG-5 and Sony A9

 TG-5 A9 
ReleasedMay 2017April 2017Same age
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-5 features outer dimensions of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the TG-5 versus the A9.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-5 and A9 is 90 and 65 respectively.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes simply by checking out a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-5 and A9.

Clearly, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The TG-5 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony A9 will produce extra detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-5
Portrait photography with Sony A9
39
focusing manually
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
83
you can focus manually
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-5 as a Street photography camera
Sony A9 as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (250 grams)
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
offers touch focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-5
Sports photography with Sony A9
46
max frames per second high (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery (340 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
86
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-5
Travel photography with Sony A9
68
great battery (340 shots)
weather sealing
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competition (250 grams)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
73
great battery pack (650 shots)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
decent MP (24MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A9 Landscape photography highlights
57
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
great battery (340 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
85
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-5
Vlogging with Sony A9
34
pretty wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no microphone socket
more heavy than competition (250 grams)
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic port
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-5 and Sony A9
 Olympus Tough TG-5Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-5 Sony Alpha A9
Class Waterproof Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2017-05-17 2017-04-19
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Max enhanced ISO 12800 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 25 693
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 20.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lb) 673 gr (1.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 340 pictures 650 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots One 2
Price at release $449 $4,498