This image shows the Olympus Tough TG-5 waterproof camera on the ground in mud.
Olympus

The Olympus Tough TG-5: Better Video on the Way

Chris Maxcer·
Gear
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Olympus has finally done what we’ve been waiting for: Amped up the video recording quality in what was already one of the best overall waterproof cameras. Olympus will soon release its new Tough TG-5, the successor of the popular Tough TG-4.

Slated to hit the world in June, the Olympus Tough TG-5 has a lot of new features including a new sensor and processor. Here’s what we know so far:

*Update: B&H Photo Video and Amazon now have the TG-5 in stock (ours is already on the way).

Inside the Olympus TOUGH TG-5 Waterproof Camera

This best waterproof camera image shows the Olympus Tough TG-5 rugged camera.
The newly updated Olympus Tough TG-5 is the best waterproof camera for a wide-range of rugged adventures. Should be widely available within a month.

The Olympus Tough TG-5 has a new image sensor that actually has fewer megapixels than its predecessor — instead of the previous 16 megapixel sensor, Olympus is now using a 12 megapixel sensor. At the same time, Olympus has boosted the TG-5’s processor to use its TruePic VIII Image Processor — the same one used in the excellent high-end Olympus E-M1 Mark II camera. Olympus says these changes will result in better image quality, and it should also result in improved low-light images.

What this new sensor and processor really mean is the TG-5 can now shoot Ultra HD 4K video, as well as Full HD 120 fps High-Speed movies for great slow motion video.

The TG-5 has a built-in GPS unit, manometer for altitude and water depth, a temperature sensor, and a compass. These sensors work with Olympus’ Action Track system to record location, temperature, direction, and altitude data that you can overlay onto your images and videos using the Olympus Image Track app — and you can post the videos and images with the overlay data to social media.

The TG-5 still has its high-speed f2.0 lens at a wide-angle 25mm with an optical 4x zoom. It’s waterproof to 50 feet, crushproof to 220 pounds, shockproof from 7 feet drops, and freezeproof down to 14°F. The latest tough feature is Anti-Fog Lens Cover Glass.

Like the TG-4, the TG-5 will still shoot RAW images for expert photo editing.

Shop B&H Photo Video for the TG-5 and get FREE expedited shipping on orders over $49.

Special Shooting Modes

This image shows the back side of the red Olympus Tough TG-5 waterproof camera.
The Olympus Tough TG-5 boasts excellent macro shooting capabilities.

The TG-5 has some of the best Macro Modes available in waterproof cameras. There are four modes and they let you shoot as close as 1 cm from the lens. You can magnify your subject using both optical and digital zoom, as well as use a Focus Stacking Mode in which the camera automatically takes eight different photos with slightly different focal lengths then merges them to create focus over a longer depth of field. If you’re into taking photos of very small things, this is a cool feature.

The TG-5 has four underwater modes, as well as nighttime modes for capturing fireworks or stars. And there’s 14 artsy filters, too.

Additional Lenses and Accessories

Olympus Tough TG-4 has a couple of lens add-ons you can use, and the TG-5 can use them as well. You can get a Fisheye Converter lens for an ultra-wide 130° field of view. A Teleconverter zoom lens will get you a 170mm focal length, which is about a 7x zoom. Both lenses are waterproof.

If you’re doing macro photography, even lighting can be a challenge. Olympus offers an LED Light Guide and a Flash Diffuser.

Olympus has created a new accessory, the PT-058 Underwater Housing, which basically makes the TG-5 capable of diving down to 147 feet (the previous TG-4 version doesn’t fit).

Olympus also makes Silicone Jackets that you can add for additional grip or protection.

The Olympus Tough TG-5 should be available in mid-June for an estimated retail price of $449.

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Chris Maxcer
Gear Reviewer, Editor and Publisher
Chris Maxcer is an avid fly fisher, camper, backpacker, public land hunter, and outdoor gear-loving expert. As an outdoor enthusiast, he has spent decades in the mountains and on rivers and lakes enjoying the great American outdoors. Maxcer has fly fished for coho salmon next to Kodiak brown bears in Alaska, backpacked among mountain goats, whitewater rafted the Middle Fork of the Salmon River through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, has chased bugles in rugged terrain while archery elk hunting in Idaho, and, perhaps most importantly, has cracked open cold beers in front of hundreds of campfires with friends and family. As the lead author and publisher of Man Makes Fire, he’s written hundreds of articles and outdoor gear reviews and buying guides, but what he enjoys most is testing and reviewing outdoor gear where it belongs — outside. To contact him via email, take a "firstinitiallastinitial" guess at ManMakesFire.com.
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