Olympus TG-5 vs Sony TX100V: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Distinct Compact Cameras

As cameras continue to proliferate in function and form, the compact camera segment remains intriguing for many photographers - from casual shooters seeking simplicity to enthusiasts eager for specialized tools. Today, I’m dissecting two very different compact cameras: the Olympus Tough TG-5, introduced in 2017 with a rugged, adventure-ready design, and the Sony Cyber-shot TX100V, a sleek ultracompact from 2011 boasting an impressive OLED screen and fine imaging prowess for its time. Both cameras offer fixed lenses covering a 25-100mm equivalent zoom range, but their DNA and capabilities diverge sharply.

Having put both through extensive use in varied scenarios - ranging from wilderness hikes to urban strolls - I’m sharing direct comparisons of their features, image quality, handling, and general performance. I’ve also explored their suitability across multiple photographic disciplines, including portrait, landscape, wildlife, and travel shooting. Buckle up for a deep dive with real-world context and practical recommendations.

Design and Ergonomics: Bulky Toughness Meets Slim Chic

At first glance, the TG-5 and TX100V represent almost opposite philosophies in compact camera design.

The Olympus TG-5 is a chunky, solid block of durable engineering. Measuring 113 x 66 x 32 mm and weighing 250 g, it feels reassuringly robust in the hand and ready to endure grime, water, shocks, and cold. Its rubberized grip and textured front housing provide excellent security for one-handed operation, even with gloves - crucial for adventure photographers. The camera’s buttons, though not illuminated, are logically positioned and tactile, with clear clicks and feedback.

On the other hand, the Sony TX100V is a study in compact elegance. At just 97 x 59 x 18 mm and a featherweight 147 g, it slips effortlessly into a shirt pocket or purse. The body’s aluminum construction and smooth finish give it a premium look but at the expense of ruggedness - this is no gym rat. Its minimalist button array is supplemented by a bright, crisp touchscreen for most interactions, which adds a layer of modern convenience lacking on the TG-5.

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, relying solely on their LCD screens for composition. Ergonomically, if you prioritize durability and physical control in harsh environments, the TG-5 wins hands down. For everyday urban shooting or travel where pocketability tops the list, the TX100V holds an edge.

Control Layout and User Interface: Tactile versus Touch

Moving to the top plates and controls, the TG-5 lays out a traditional compact camera interface with dedicated dials and buttons for exposure compensation (albeit limited), ISO, and shooting mode toggling. Olympus opted against touchscreen input here, instead banking on physical buttons you can find by feel - a smart choice underwater or in cold conditions.

Sony’s TX100V is leaner in direct controls, relying heavily on its responsive touchscreen and fewer manual buttons. Its touchscreen supports AF point selection, menu navigation, and even swipe gestures - features that remain highly usable despite the modest 3.5-inch screen size. The TX100V misses out on dedicated aperture or shutter priority modes, focusing instead on simplicity - but with full custom white balance support.

The TG-5's exposure compensation and aperture-priority mode provide more manual creative control, appealing to users who want to nudge their settings. Sony’s interface, favoring ease-of-use, is better suited for casual shooters or those wanting less technical fuss.

Sensor Technology and Resolution: A Tale of Generations

Both cameras feature a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor - a staple for small compacts - but their specs tell different stories.

The Sony TX100V offers a 16MP resolution, yielding detailed 4608 x 3456 images. It lacks RAW support but compensates with excellent JPEG processing tuned by the BIONZ engine, balancing sharpness and noise reduction. Its native ISO range peaks at ISO 3200.

Conversely, the Olympus TG-5 employs a 12MP sensor with a slightly wider native ISO ceiling at 12800 and crucially supports RAW capture - an advantage for photographers wanting maximum control in post-processing. The TG-5’s TruePic VIII processor delivers speedy data throughput and improved noise management.

Despite the resolution difference, real-world image quality depends heavily on sensor performance and lens optics. In practical tests, the TG-5’s images exhibit very clean detail retention and dynamic range suitable for most casual to semi-pro uses. The Sony’s higher pixel count leads to marginally sharper images in good light but also reveals noise sooner in low light. Both cameras include an anti-aliasing filter, which slightly tempers fine sharpness but minimizes moiré.

LCD Screens and Live View Experience

The Sony TX100V boasts a 3.5-inch OLED screen with 1229k dots resolution. Its TruBlack technology creates stunning contrast and vibrant colors, making it one of the finest mobile LCDs of its era. The touchscreen responsiveness adds finesse to AF point selection and menu navigation. For composing selfies or vlogging, its 180-degree flip-out design is a significant plus.

In comparison, the Olympus TG-5 sports a fixed 3-inch LCD with a modest 460k dots resolution. Without touch functionality, you'll rely on physical controls alone for settings adjustment. The screen remains sufficiently bright and clear enough for outdoor use, thanks to improved anti-reflective coatings, but it cannot rival the TX100V’s brilliance or versatility.

For users who prioritize vivid display quality with touch control, Sony takes the win. Field photographers needing ruggedness and waterproof reliability will accept the TG-5’s more utilitarian screen.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Accuracy Versus Agility

Autofocus (AF) systems can make or break a compact when chasing action or capturing fleeting moments.

The Olympus TG-5 uses contrast-detection AF with 25 focus points and face detection. It also provides continuous AF tracking and a nifty focus bracketing and stacking feature - surprising and welcome for macro enthusiasts. Its burst rate hits 20 fps in continuous shooting mode, excellent for catching fast sequences.

Sony’s TX100V includes 9 focus points with contrast detection but lacks continuous AF tracking. Its single AF mode is accurate and quick in good light, though speed drops markedly in dimmer conditions. Continuous shooting maxes out at 10 fps, respectable but not spectacular.

Real-world tests affirm the TG-5’s superiority in fast autofocus acquisition and tracking, partly due to newer processor technology. If you shoot sports, wildlife, or spontaneous street scenes, the TG-5 is a more dependable companion. The TX100V shines in well-lit, static environments where precision single-shot focusing suffices.

Lens and Optical Performance: Sharpness and Macro Prowess

Both cameras feature a 25-100mm (35mm equivalent) fixed zoom lens with a 4x range; however, optical formulas and aperture differ markedly.

• Olympus TG-5 lens: f/2.0 at wide-angle to f/4.9 at telephoto, with 1cm macro focusing distance.
• Sony TX100V lens: f/3.5 to f/4.6 aperture range, macro focusing distance unspecified.

The wider aperture on the TG-5’s wide end (f/2.0) facilitates lower-light shooting and gives more shallow depth of field options - a boon for portraits and creative blur.

Moreover, the TG-5 excels in macro imaging, offering sharpness and focusing precision down to 1cm, allowing exquisite close-ups of small subjects - be it insects or textures. This is paired with built-in focus bracketing and stacking modes to extend depth of field creatively.

The Sony’s lens excels at delivering sharp images across the zoom range but lacks dedicated macro modes and focus precision at extremely close distances. The f/3.5 aperture limits low-light capability and background separation.

In sum, the TG-5’s lens and macro system make it an outstanding choice for nature photographers and creatives seeking versatility. For general snapshots and travel pics, the Sony lens performs admirably but with less specialized utility.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

The Olympus TG-5 is designed as an all-terrain camera: waterproof up to 15 meters, freeze-proof down to -10 °C, crushproof to 100 kgf, shockproof from 2.1 m drops, and dustproof. These specs give it unmatched resilience in brutal conditions - be it diving, mountain climbing, or desert trekking.

Olympus TG 5 front Olympus TG 5 screen back Sony TX100V screen back

By contrast, the Sony TX100V offers no weather sealing or ruggedization. It’s an urban and indoor camera meant to be handled with care. The lack of dust or water resistance limits its practical use outdoors in inclement weather.

If you foresee exposing your camera to rough environments, there’s simply no contest: the TG-5 is the workhorse here.

Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift vs Optical

Both cameras include image stabilization to reduce blur from camera shake, yet their approaches differ.

The TG-5 employs sensor-shift stabilization, meaning movement compensation occurs at the sensor level. This method is highly effective, especially during handheld macro, video, or low-light shooting, adding a layer of sharpness that rivals larger cameras.

Sony’s TX100V uses optical image stabilization (OIS), stabilizing the lens elements mechanically. While OIS works well for telephoto reach and general shooting, it’s less effective than modern sensor-shift systems and less adaptable to macro or video modes.

From my experience, the TG-5’s stabilization performs better overall, notably in challenging conditions.

Video Capabilities and Connectivity

Video is often an overlooked feature in compacts, but it’s worth considering.

• Olympus TG-5 shoots 4K UHD video at 30p with a robust 102 Mbps bitrate, stored in MOV H264 format with Linear PCM audio. It also supports time-lapse recording and offers modest in-camera video stabilization.
• The Sony TX100V produces 1080p Full HD video at 60fps using AVCHD or MPEG-4 codecs, with a lower bitrate and no 4K support. No time-lapse functionality is built-in.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, limiting external audio improvement; however, the TG-5’s higher video specs and rugged body allow more adventurous videography.

Connectivity-wise, the TG-5 includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, facilitating image transfer and geotagging, ideal for on-the-go use and travel. The Sony supports wireless transfer via Eye-Fi cards but lacks built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Both rely on USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs.

For hybrid stills/video shooters or outdoor vloggers, the TG-5’s combination is appreciably more future-proof.

Battery Life and Storage

The TG-5 uses a proprietary Olympus LI-92B battery rated for approximately 340 shots per charge, which I found realistic during field tests. In rugged environments where charging options may be limited, this endurance matters.

Sony’s TX100V employs an NP-BN1 battery, and while official ratings are vague, endurance is generally lower, around 250 shots per charge. Smaller battery size supports the camera’s compactness but reduces operational longevity.

Both take a single storage card slot - SD/SDHC/SDXC for TG-5, and a variety of SD and Memory Stick formats for Sony, notably useful for those with legacy Sony card ecosystems.

Price and Value Proposition: Rugged Versatility vs Elegant Portability

With street prices hovering near $450 for the TG-5 and roughly $380 for the TX100V, value differs dramatically based on intent.

The Olympus is a highly specialized compact: ruggedized, versatile, with pro-oriented features such as RAW capture, macro stack focus, and 4K UHD video. Its price reflects these capacities.

Sony’s ultracompact, by contrast, targets buyers prioritizing style, portability, and a top-tier OLED display, offering excellent image quality for general use, albeit with compromises in ruggedness and manual control.

If you demand a camera that can double as an adventure companion and creative tool, the TG-5 justifies its premium. For urban explorers or casual vacationers who prize compactness and image aesthetics, the TX100V remains compelling on a budget.

How They Score in Performance and Photography Genres

Looking at measured performance metrics, the TG-5 scores highly for continuous shooting, durability, autofocus, and video specs. The Sony excels in screen quality, portability, and resolution but scores lower in low light, ruggedness, and shooting speed.

Here’s a breakdown across specific photography types:

• Portraits: TG-5’s wider aperture and face detection outperform Sony’s narrower aperture and lack of face detect (~TG wins).
• Landscape: Both deliver decent resolution, but TG-5’s better dynamic range and weather sealing give it a slight edge.
• Wildlife: TG-5 autofocus speed and burst rates trump Sony’s slower continuous AF (~TG wins hands-down).
• Sports: TG-5’s 20 fps burst and tracking make it more suitable; Sony’s 10 fps is limiting.
• Street: Sony’s compactness and discreet design help it fit; TG-5 is bulkier and more rugged (~Sony preferred).
• Macro: TG-5’s dedicated macro modes and focus stacking make it outstanding.
• Night/Astro: TG-5’s better high ISO and RAW options allow more flexibility.
• Video: TG-5’s 4K video and time-lapse feature outshine Sony’s HD video.
• Travel: Sony wins for portability; TG-5 for versatility and durability.
• Professional work: TG-5 supports RAW and offers more control, suiting semi-pros better.

Final Verdict: Choosing the Right Compact Champion

After extensive side-by-side testing in varied environments, here’s how I would counsel different types of photographers:

• Adventure and Outdoor Photographers: Olympus TG-5
  Its rugged body, waterproofing, sensor-shift stabilization, excellent macro functions, and 4K video make it a reliable companion in the wild.

• General Travel and Everyday Urban Shooters: Sony TX100V
  If pocketability, screen quality, and stylish design matter most - and you shoot mostly in controlled lighting - the TX100V delivers splendid image quality in a seamless package.

• Macro Enthusiasts: Olympus TG-5
  Superior focusing range, focus bracketing, and stacking give the TG-5 a huge advantage here.

• Video Hobbyists: Olympus TG-5
  4K recording, high bitrate, and tougher build create a versatile mini-camcorder alternative.

• Budget-Conscious Buyers: Sony TX100V
  Despite its age, the TX100V offers excellent value where ruggedness isn’t essential.

In conclusion, these cameras serve distinct niches shaped as much by their design ethos as by their specifications. Our empirical testing shows that neither is a one-size-fits-all solution but each shines where it counts. The Olympus TG-5 is an indomitable mini fortress for adventure seekers; the Sony TX100V is the quintessential elegant pocket shooter for the style-conscious user.

Choosing between these should start with honest self-assessment of shooting habits, environments, and desired creative controls. Whatever your choice, both cameras bring a respectable pedigree and thoughtful engineering that justify their continued presence in the compact camera discussion.

Thanks for reading this detailed comparison. Feel free to ask any questions or share your experience with these models - I’m always eager to discuss cameras from the trenches.