Olympus TG-5 vs Sony a5100
90 Imaging
38 Features
51 Overall
43


89 Imaging
65 Features
74 Overall
68
Olympus TG-5 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 12800)
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
- Released May 2017
- Earlier Model is Olympus TG-4
- Newer Model is Olympus TG-6
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
- Revealed August 2014
- Previous Model is Sony a5000

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony a5100 Overview
Let's examine more closely at the Olympus TG-5 versus Sony a5100, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the TG-5 (12MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the TG-5 (1/2.3") and a5100 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

The TG-5 was revealed 2 years after the a5100 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-5 being a Compact camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the TG-5 matches up versus the a5100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony a5100 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Tough TG-5 & Sony Alpha a5100. The full galleries are available at Olympus TG-5 Gallery & Sony a5100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Sony a5100
TG-5 | a5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | May 2017 | ![]() | August 2014 | Newer by 34 months |
Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Olympus TG-5
a5100 | TG-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+462k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus TG-5 and Sony a5100
TG-5 | a5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Olympus TG-5 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-5 comes with physical 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 a5100 has sizing of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).
Look at the Olympus TG-5 versus Sony a5100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the TG-5 and the a5100.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-5 and a5100 is 90 and 89 respectively.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading specifications. The picture here may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-5 and a5100.
To sum up, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The TG-5 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more challenging and the Sony a5100 will offer you more detail because of its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher TG-5 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony a5100 Specifications
Olympus Tough TG-5 | Sony Alpha a5100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus Tough TG-5 | Sony Alpha a5100 |
Class | Waterproof | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2017-05-17 | 2014-08-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VIII | Bionz X |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 24MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 12800 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Min enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 25 | 179 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | - |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 20.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off | Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 250 grams (0.55 lbs) | 283 grams (0.62 lbs) |
Dimensions | 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.7 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1347 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 340 shots | 400 shots |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LI-92B | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot)) |
Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $449 | $448 |