Olympus TG-5 vs Sony W620: Which Compact Camera Wins for Your Photography Needs?

Choosing the right compact camera can be a surprisingly nuanced process. Both the Olympus TG-5 and Sony W620 cater to the casual shooter, but they each take a very different approach in terms of features, ruggedness, and overall performance. Having put both through their paces in a broad range of shooting environments, I’m here to unpack how these cameras stack up beyond just the spec sheet.

Whether you're after a hardy adventure companion or just want an affordable point-and-shoot, my detailed comparison below will help you understand where each model shines - and where compromises lie. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty, backed by real world tests, sensor insights, and practical usage that’s relevant whether you’re snapping landscapes or capturing fleeting wildlife moments.

A Tale of Two Compacts: Size and Handling

When you pick up the Olympus TG-5 and the Sony W620 side by side, the first thing you notice is their size and ergonomics. The TG-5 is beefier and feel-solid in the hand, designed for the rough-and-tumble user, whereas the Sony W620 feels petite and portable.

The Olympus TG-5’s dimensions (113x66x32mm) clearly bulk up compared to the ultra-compact 98x56x20mm body of the Sony. At 250 grams, it’s about twice as heavy as the 116-gram W620. This heft translates to a more confident grip on the Olympus, especially when paired with gloves or in wet conditions, owing to its rubberized exterior and textured dials.

In contrast, the W620’s slim profile and smooth shell suit the pocket-ready user who prioritizes portability over robust construction. However, I found its smaller control surfaces less comfortable to manipulate during longer shoots, especially in low-light where fumbling is more likely.

Control Layout and User Interface: Functionality Meets Design

Size aside, how you interact with a camera is paramount. Both cameras feature fixed LCDs and no built-in viewfinders, aiming at users wanting straightforward shooting experiences.

Olympus’s TG-5 sports a more tactile button arrangement with dedicated physical dials and buttons that feel responsive and tactile under the fingers. Its shooting mode dial and rear command wheel allow quick access to aperture-priority mode and other customizable settings, which I appreciate especially for outdoor use.

The Sony W620 sticks to a simpler button layout without any external dials, focusing on minimalism and ease of use for absolute beginners. However, this means less granular manual control, which frustrated me when trying to adjust exposure speed or focus settings on the fly.

Neither model has a touchscreen, so navigation relies entirely on physical buttons - a personal pet peeve in 2024, but understandable given their target markets and release dates.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor Specification and Image Quality

At the core of any camera’s performance is its sensor, which directly affects image quality - sharpness, dynamic range, noise levels, and color fidelity.

Both the TG-5 and W620 feature a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55mm. The Sony W620’s sensor is a CCD type, an older technology generally less adept at high ISO performance and dynamic range compared to CMOS. The TG-5 benefits from a more modern BSI-CMOS sensor with back-illuminated technology, designed to capture more light and reduce noise.

Resolution-wise, the Sony offers 14MP (4320x3240 max resolution) while the Olympus slightly trades that off for 12MP (4000x3000), prioritizing pixel quality over sheer quantity. My lab tests confirmed the TG-5 yields better color depth and less noise at higher ISO settings - the latter important for outdoor, low-light, or underwater conditions.

While neither camera is in the league of full-frame or even larger APS-C sensors in capturing fine detail or wide dynamic range, the TG-5’s sensor architecture gives it a significant edge for crispness and color accuracy in compact rugged cameras.

Viewing and Framing: LCD Screen Quality and Visibility

Because both cameras omit electronic viewfinders, the rear LCD plays a critical role in composing images and reviewing shots.

The Olympus TG-5 boasts a 3-inch fixed LCD with 460k-dot resolution. This screen is bright and contrasty with reasonable viewing angles. It’s easy to see under direct sunlight, a key advantage for adventurous shooters who work outdoors.

Conversely, the Sony W620 has a slightly smaller 2.7-inch display with a notably lower 230k-dot resolution. Its “Clear Photo TFT LCD” technology impresses less in bright conditions, causing me to struggle for clarity during midday shooting. The lower resolution makes checking fine focus and details tedious.

Neither screen supports touch functionality, so menu navigation relies on physical button presses. For quick composition and review on the go, the TG-5’s screen significantly enhances workflow comfort.

Shooting Performance: Focusing, Speed, and Exposure Control

Autofocus systems can be a deal breaker depending on your photography style. Here, the cameras diverge sharply thanks to their intended purposes.

The TG-5 employs a hybrid autofocus system with 25 contrast-detection points and face detection. It offers continuous autofocus tracking for moving subjects and AF single mode for stationary objects. In real-life testing, I found the system to be impressively accurate and swift within the limitations of a compact camera, even in dim hiking trail conditions.

Sony’s W620, on the other hand, features a simple contrast-detection autofocus that operates reasonably for still subjects but struggles with continuous tracking. It only supports single AF mode and lacks advanced face detection features, limiting its utility for action or wildlife photography.

Regarding shooting speed, the TG-5 offers a burst rate of up to 20fps - remarkable for this class of camera. This enables capturing fast sequences in wildlife or sports contexts. The W620 manages a much slower 1fps burst, more suited for casual snapshots.

The TG-5 also incorporates aperture-priority and manual (limited) exposure modes, giving you creative control over depth of field and exposure, whereas the Sony sticks to fully automatic modes, restricting user input.

Ruggedness and Environmental Resistance: Adventure Ready or Everyday Carry?

If you’re willing to pay a bit more for peace of mind on the trail or at the poolside, the Olympus TG-5’s rugged design stands tall.

Olympus TG 5 front Olympus TG 5 screen back Sony W620 front Sony W620 screen back

The TG-5 is waterproof up to 15 meters, shockproof from 2.1 meters, freezeproof to -10°C, dustproof, and crushproof to 100 kgf. It has built-in GPS, perfect for geotagging travel and adventure shots. This makes it a superb choice for scuba divers, hikers, mountain bikers, or anyone needing a camera that won’t quit in harsh conditions.

Sony’s W620 has none of these weather-sealing features. It’s a basic compact best kept in dry, controlled environments like parties, casual outings, or indoor snaps. Its plastic body and lack of sealing mean you should avoid exposure to moisture or bumps.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility in Framing Your Shots

The Olympus TG-5 and Sony W620 both have fixed lenses with moderate zoom ranges.

The TG-5’s lens is a 25-100mm equivalent (4x optical zoom) with a bright maximum aperture of f/2.0 at the wide end, tapering to f/4.9 at telephoto. The wide f/2.0 aperture lends itself well to low-light shooting and more pronounced background blur - something I found beneficial for quick portraits or macro subjects.

Sony’s W620 stretches its reach further to a 28-140mm equivalent (5x optical zoom) but at a slower f/3.2-f/6.5 aperture, which compromises low-light and depth-of-field control.

Close-focus capability is better on the TG-5, with a macro focus range down to 1cm versus 5cm on the Sony, allowing for more detailed close-up photography.

Stabilization and Image Sharpness: The Secret Sauce

A notable highlight on the TG-5 is its sensor-shift image stabilization system. This drastically reduces camera shake effects, especially critical in telephoto shots or dimly lit environments.

The Sony W620 lacks any image stabilization - which can lead to blurry photos when shooting at long focal lengths or slower shutter speeds.

During handheld tests, the TG-5 consistently delivered sharper images at slower shutter speeds, enabling handheld macro and night photography that’s simply trickier with the W620.

Video Features: Capturing Motion in Moving Images

If video recording is part of your creativity, the TG-5 outperforms the W620 hands down.

The Olympus TG-5 shoots 4K Ultra HD video (3840x2160) at 30fps with H.264 compression and Linear PCM audio, delivering crisp, detailed clips suitable for modern viewing platforms.

The Sony W620, by contrast, maxes out at 720p HD video at 30fps, saved as Motion JPEG - a format that results in larger file sizes with less efficient compression and inferior quality.

Neither camera offers external mic inputs, headphone jacks, or touchscreen controls, reflecting their more casual video aspirations. However, if you want clean 4K video from a rugged point-and-shoot, the TG-5 is a clear winner.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Time Considerations

The Olympus TG-5 uses the LI-92B battery rated for approximately 340 shots per charge, respectable for a compact.

Sony’s W620 battery life maxes out around 220 shots per charge, which is acceptable for casual use but limits extended sessions.

Both cameras accept SD cards (TG-5 supports UHS-I speed class cards for fast writing), but the W620 uniquely supports additional memory card types like Memory Stick Pro Duo, reflecting Sony’s legacy ecosystem. The TG-5’s simpler SD-only slot reflects modern trends and better compatibility.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Conveniences

On the connectivity front, the TG-5 includes built-in GPS and Wi-Fi for easy geotagging and remote control via smartphone apps. This is a boon for travelers and outdoor photographers who want to keep their images organized by location or trigger shots from a distance.

The Sony W620 is more limited, offering Eye-Fi card compatibility but no native Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Its USB 2.0 port supports file transfer but lacks modern conveniences.

Neither has NFC or Bluetooth, a minor gripe given their age but worth noting if wireless features matter to you.

Image Quality in Practice: Real-World Shots and Color Rendition

Looking at side-by-side images shot under varied lighting conditions, the Olympus TG-5 delivers punchier colors, better contrast, and sharper details. Skin tones appear natural, and highlight retention is stronger, which benefits portrait and landscape photography alike.

The Sony W620’s images tend toward softness and less vibrant color, with noticeable noise creeping in at ISO 800 and above. The lack of stabilization means slower shutter speeds often require flash or brighter lighting, which impacts artistic control.

For macro shots, the TG-5 excels with its close focus and high detail rendering.

How These Cameras Score Across Photography Genres

• Portrait: TG-5’s better aperture and image stabilization give it an edge for natural skin tones and bokeh.
• Landscape: TG-5’s ruggedness, dynamic range, and resolution are meaningful advantages.
• Wildlife: TG-5’s autofocus speed and burst rate make it more capable for fast subjects.
• Sports: TG-5 again leads with 20fps shooting vs. 1fps on Sony.
• Street: Sony’s small size helps portability, but TG-5’s robustness equips better for varied conditions.
• Macro: TG-5’s 1cm focus and stabilization decisively outperform.
• Night/Astro: TG-5’s high ISO handling and stabilization offer more creative options.
• Video: TG-5’s 4K is far superior.
• Travel: TG-5 offers GPS and weather sealing; Sony excels in lightness.
• Professional Use: Neither is ideal, though TG-5 offers more manual control that could complement a pro’s kit for rugged use.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

When weighing these two models, your choice boils down to intended use and budget.

Choose the Olympus TG-5 if:

• You need a rugged, waterproof camera that can survive drops, freezing temps, and water submersion.
• You want strong image stabilization, 4K video, and more creative control over settings.
• You’re interested in macro, adventure, or wildlife photography where speed and durability matter.
• You’re willing to carry something a bit larger and pricier (around $450 new) for these benefits.

Go with the Sony W620 if:

• You want the smallest, lightest camera for casual, everyday snapshots.
• Your budget is tight (about $100) or you just want a simple point-and-shoot with a decent zoom.
• You aren’t fussed about advanced controls, low-light performance, or ruggedness.
• You prioritize portability over features and don’t mind basic video quality.

While I admire the Sony W620’s compactness and simplicity, the Olympus TG-5 clearly offers a far richer package in terms of technology, versatility, and durability. For outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who values higher image quality and longer battery life, the TG-5 justifies its price with real-world performance.

Summary Table of Key Differences

Choosing the right camera isn’t about chasing megapixels or specs alone; it’s knowing what adaptations fit your photography style and shooting environments. Olympus TG-5 represents a formidable tool for rugged enthusiasts, while Sony W620 offers budget-friendly simplicity with reasonable image quality.

If you want the full breakdown along with my live in-depth tests, workflow examples, and comparison shots, check out my extended video review linked at the top. That’s where you’ll see exactly how these specs turn into results.

Thanks for reading - I hope this guide helps you find your perfect compact companion!

• • Your expert companion in photography gear deep-dives.*