Olympus VG-145 vs. Sony TX5: A Deep Dive into Two Ultracompact Cameras for Enthusiasts and Pros

Selecting the right ultracompact camera can sometimes feel like navigating a maze, especially when two options seemingly target similar users but differ in crucial ways. Today, I’m walking you through an in-depth comparison between the Olympus VG-145 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 - a matchup that pits a straightforward, no-frills shooter against a surprisingly robust, rugged compact. Both hail from an era when compact cameras were still going strong, but their design philosophies and capabilities highlight two very different takes on portability and performance.

As someone who’s spent more than 15 years dissecting cameras from every segment, including ultracompacts, I’ll combine technical benchmarks, real-world shooting experience, and practical usability insights. Whether you’re hunting for a reliable travel companion, an easy-to-use walk-around camera, or a backup to your pro kit, you’ll find plenty here to help you decide which one fits your photography style and expectation.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Both the Olympus VG-145 and Sony TX5 slot into the ultracompact category, measuring roughly the same in dimensions - roughly 94-96mm wide, 57mm tall, and about 18-19mm thick. The VG-145 is marginally lighter at about 120g compared to the TX5’s 148g, but in hand, that difference is almost imperceptible.

Ergonomically, the Olympus follows a minimalist approach: it lacks manual focus, has no viewfinder, and a fixed non-touchscreen LCD that displays at a modest 230k dots. Meanwhile, the Sony brings in a 3" touchscreen LCD with the same resolution but adds significant environmental sealing - including waterproofing down to several meters, dustproofing, shockproof, and freezeproof capabilities. If you want a rugged shooter that can handle rougher outdoor conditions or unpredictable travel environments, the TX5’s build screams durability without bulk.

However, the Olympus’s slim profile and streamlined control scheme can appeal to those who prefer simplicity and fewer distractions while shooting. Neither camera offers a viewfinder, so composing at the LCD is the only option here, which is standard for this class.

Comparing the top controls also shows the Sony’s additional physical buttons and an intuitive touch interface that makes quick adjustments easier, despite its lack of dedicated exposure modes (more on that shortly).

Verdict so far: The Sony TX5 feels more like an adventure-ready camera - the sort you’d take hiking or beachside. The Olympus VG-145 suits users prioritizing an ultra-light pocket camera for casual photography without fuss.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: What Does the Heart of the Camera Hold?

Moving deeper, the VG-145 features a 14-megapixel 1/2.3" CCD sensor, while the Sony TX5 opts for a 10-megapixel 1/2.4" BSI-CMOS sensor.

Here’s why that matters: CCD sensors, like in the Olympus, were once favored for their color reproduction and noise characteristics but lag behind CMOS in versatility and low-light prowess. The Sony’s BSI (Backside Illuminated) CMOS sensor design improves light gathering, allowing better performance at higher ISO sensitivity levels, which you’ll appreciate in low-light or night shots.

Despite the higher megapixel count of the VG-145, real-world image quality tells a different story. The Sony’s sensor preserves cleaner shadows and less noise at ISO 800 and beyond, enhancing dynamic range subtly but noticeably. This impacts everything from vibrant landscapes to indoor portraits where noise often ruins fine detail.

Both include an anti-aliasing filter, which helps avoid moiré but softens sharpness slightly - a standard trade-off. The Olympus can reach ISO 1600 natively, but image noise becomes quite evident above ISO 400. The Sony extends native ISO up to 3200, although pushing past 800-1600 introduces softness and noise typical of compacts in this era.

In my controlled shooting tests, colors from the Olympus tended to be warmer but occasionally oversaturated, while the Sony rendered hues more neutrally, leaning slightly cooler but realistically so. Both models rely on JPEG output only - no RAW support, so you’re stuck with in-camera processing.

My take: For pure image quality and workflow flexibility (considering noise and color balance), the Sony’s sensor technology offers a modest edge, especially if you shoot in varied or demanding light.

Lens and Focusing: Zoom Versatility vs. Precision

Lens-wise, the Olympus VG-145 covers a 26-130 mm equivalent (5× optical zoom) with a maximum aperture ranging from F2.8 at wide-angle to F6.5 at telephoto - fairly bright at the wide end. The Sony TX5 offers 25–100 mm (4× zoom), with a slightly narrower aperture range of F3.5 to F6.3.

The Olympus’s longer zoom reach provides additional framing flexibility, particularly useful in casual travel shooting or modest telephoto requirements.

For macro enthusiasts, both cameras share an impressive close-focus distance of just 1 cm, letting you capture interesting textures or small subjects with surprising detail for ultracompacts.

Focusing systems, however, differ quite a bit. The Olympus lacks manual focus and any continuous or tracking autofocus modes. It does offer face detection, which is helpful for casual portraits but lacks advanced eye detection technology.

The Sony TX5 includes manual focus and a single-shot contrast-detection autofocus with nine focus points, but no face detection. The touchscreen interface assists precise focus point selection and focusing confirmation - a handy feature in macro or tricky compositions.

Sony also integrates optical image stabilization (which we’ll discuss next), complementing its focusing precision by minimizing camera shake. Olympus does not offer any stabilization, relying on shooting technique to keep images sharp.

Image Stabilization: The Difference Between Crisp and Blurry Photos

In ultracompacts, image stabilization can be a game-changer - especially as longer focal lengths magnify handshake.

• Sony TX5: Uses Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which physically moves lens elements or sensor to counteract hand-shake. This translates to noticeably sharper shots at longer focal lengths and slower shutter speeds.

• Olympus VG-145: Offers no image stabilization at all.

My practical tests highlight this difference: shooting handheld indoors or at telephoto zoom, the Sony consistently produced sharper images with less blur. The Olympus struggled more, and unless you had a very steady hand or used a tripod, photos often lost crispness.

If shooting macro outdoors or low-light portraits without a tripod, I generally prefer Sony's stabilization - it gives a little more creative freedom.

LCD and Interface: How You See and Control Your Shots

Both cameras have fixed 3" LCD screens at a modest 230k pixel resolution - fairly typical for their generation. However, the Sony’s screen responds to touch input, enabling easier setting changes and manual focus adjustments. The Olympus lacks touchscreen, using button navigation exclusively.

Neither offer articulated screens or electronic viewfinders, so composing from eye-level is out. In bright sunlight, LCD visibility is challenging on both, but Sony’s slightly brighter display with anti-reflective treatments gives it an advantage.

The Olympus interface is more spartan, focused on quick point-and-shoot ease, and users comfortable with a simple button layout might appreciate this. The Sony’s touchscreen leans more into versatility and control, though it may require some getting used to if you’re not accustomed to touch interfaces.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Serviceable

Both cameras top out at 720p HD video recording, but file formats and frame rates differ:

• Olympus VG-145: Records video in Motion JPEG format at 1280x720 resolution and frame rates of 30 or 15 fps.

• Sony TX5: Uses MPEG-4 at 720p and a steady 30 fps.

Neither supports Full HD (1080p) or 4K, but for casual family videos or travel clips, they do the job.

Notably, the TX5 includes a built-in HDMI output for easy playback on TVs - something missing on the Olympus.

Audio input options are nonexistent on both, so sound quality is basic. If video is a primary interest, you’ll likely find these cameras limited, but for quick, casual snippets they suffice.

Connectivity, Battery, and Storage: Everyday Practicalities

Connectivity is minimal on both. No Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS on either camera, reflecting their era and market segment.

The Olympus VG-145 uses a rechargeable LI-70B battery pack, rated for about 160 shots per charge - quite limited. The Sony TX5’s battery life isn’t officially stated, but real-world usage tends to be around 220-250 shots depending on use, offering a bit more breathing room.

For data transfer, both offer USB 2.0 ports, but the Sony adds a useful HDMI port as mentioned.

Storage-wise, both accept SD/SDHC cards, with the Sony adding support for Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo formats - nice if you’re embedded in Sony’s ecosystem.

No camera supports dual slots or UHS-I cards for faster write speeds - not unexpected in ultracompacts.

Weather Sealing: Durability Beyond Everyday Use

Here’s where the Sony TX5 really shines. It’s environmentally sealed - designed to withstand water, dust, shocks, and extreme temperatures (freezeproof down to -10°C).

The Olympus VG-145 has no weather resistance whatsoever, making it vulnerable to moisture or dust - an important consideration if you shoot outdoors often or in demanding conditions.

If you want a rugged pocketable camera for hiking, beach, or winter scenes, the Sony’s durability is a huge selling point.

Real-World Use Across Photography Genres

Let’s zoom out and evaluate both cameras across key photography disciplines to see where each excels or falls short.

Portrait Photography

The Olympus VG-145’s higher-resolution sensor offers good detail in optimal lighting. Face detection helps with focus, ensuring eyes are reasonably sharp. However, lack of manual focus and stabilization might limit creative control. The Sony TX5’s superior stabilization and precise autofocus make it more reliable outdoors, though smaller sensor resolution reduces slighlty fine detail.

Neither camera can produce aggressive bokeh (background blur) due to small sensor and lens aperture, but both focus closely enough for decent subject separation.

Landscape Photography

Here, image quality and dynamic range matter most. The Olympus’s 14MP sensor yields sharp results in bright conditions, while the Sony’s superior noise handling shines in shadow recovery or low-light landscapes. Plus, the Sony’s weather sealing makes it a trusted companion in varied environments.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Both struggle in these domains. Slow contrast-detection autofocus, lack of continuous AF or tracking, and modest burst speed (Sony claims 10fps but only for a few frames, Olympus lacks burst mode completely) make rapid subject capture unreliable.

If wildlife or sports is a priority, neither camera will fully satisfy - dedicated superzooms or mirrorless systems are better choices.

Street Photography

For quiet candid shooting, the Olympus’s discreet size and minimal shutter noise are appealing. The Sony’s ruggedness is less vital here, though touchscreen focus can speed up quick snaps. Both lack viewfinders, which some street photographers prefer for compositional awareness.

Macro Photography

With close focus distances of 1 cm, both offer good macro performance for ultracompacts. The Sony’s manual focus and stabilization edge give it a more precise edge in handheld macro shots.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light sensitivity and stabilization become crucial. Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor, higher ISO capabilities, and optical stabilization outperform the Olympus’s noisy 14MP CCD. Still, ultracompact sensor sizes limit deep night sky capture.

Video Use

As covered, modest HD options suited to casual use, with Sony’s MPEG-4 and HDMI output preferable for hobbyists.

Travel Photography

Sony’s ruggedness, slightly better battery life, and superior image stabilization make it the ideal pick for travel photographers wanting durability and versatility. Olympus’s lighter weight and longer zoom range offer appeal but no weather sealing is a major downside outdoors.

Professional Work

Neither camera targets professional workflows. Lack of RAW, manual exposure controls, and limited lens options keeps them squarely in the consumer segment.

Scoring the Cameras: Objective Performance and Value

Using standardized performance metrics from lab testing combined with field usability, Sony TX5 scores higher overall - primarily driven by durability, stabilization, user interface, and low-light performance. The Olympus VG-145 lags but still offers solid image detail in controlled environments.

Which Camera Is Best for Your Photography Style?

• Casual shooters or beginners wanting a simple, lightweight camera with straightforward use may prefer the Olympus VG-145 - compact and easy, albeit without fancy features.

• Outdoor enthusiasts and travelers who require a weather-sealed, rugged camera with solid image stabilization and decent zoom range will benefit from the Sony TX5.

• Macro and detailed close-up fans benefit from Sony’s manual focus and stabilization.

• Video hobbyists seeking easy playback and HD recording find the Sony more versatile.

• Users shooting indoors or low light will appreciate the Sony’s higher ISO range and cleaner images.

If budget is tight and you find a used VG-145 at a bargain, it’s a capable compact for basic photography. For ~ $200-$250, the Sony TX5’s ruggedness and better optics justify the price.

Wrapping Up

Neither the Olympus VG-145 nor Sony TX5 can compete with today’s mirrorless or high-end compacts. But they represent different value propositions from the early 2010s ultracompact era.

The Olympus sacrifices ruggedness and advanced features for simplicity and a slightly longer zoom. The Sony balances portability with professional-grade durability, stabilization, and touchscreen versatility.

Your choice hinges on whether you prioritize durability and image stabilization (Sony TX5), or a simpler, slightly slimmer point-and-shoot form (Olympus VG-145).

Olympus VG 145 front Olympus VG 145 screen back Sony TX5 screen back

With this thorough breakdown, I hope you feel better equipped to match one or the other to your needs and style. Ultracompact cameras like these are handy companions for casual shooting, but knowing their strengths ensures you get exactly what you want from your photography adventures.

Need my personal pick? For my outdoor travel shoots and casual video capture, I’d reach for the Sony TX5 every time - it’s just more reliable and versatile for unpredictable conditions. That said, for an ultra-light, grab-and-go compact without fuss, the Olympus VG-145 still holds some charm.

Happy shooting!