As a trademark, your videos are as amusing as pedagogic. Clear and friendly user, Rob. This one was no exception. The old conundrum: are we going to analyze and be persnickety, or just go out and have fun, without storming our brains on technicalities? I'll go for the latter. I recall the mishaps I had, plus the money spent, back in the 60s, while learning the basics of 35 mm. system vs the ease and great images I was getting out of my Minolta 110 camera in the 70s. Those little negatives were yielding up to 7x11 prints at the 1-hour lab. I only had to keep two things in mind: the sun behind my shoulders & composition. Nobody heard or cared about dynamic range or bokeh...(?) I owned the TG2. I sold it. Now, the only difference between the TG5 vs the TG6, is the elevation of the screen dots, plus some macro functions. But they share the rest of their wares. I'm waiting for the TG7, if ever. But, do not forget that the very first commandment of taking photography is to GO OUT & HAVE FUN!!!! I want to wish you, and your team, a great Xmas, with family and loved ones. I also wish you a very prolific 2023, sharing your views and savoir-faire with all of us. Keep young & prosper!!!
Hi Rob. I am looking at this camera too. DOF comparisons will be tricky because the TG-5 does not use a true variable aperture in the lens. I believe it uses variable ND to achieve the exposure control in AP mode. Thus, the optical mechanics associated with DOF and its relation to lens opening will be somewhat irrelevant with the TG-5. Really appreciate your channel and I share your fondness for Olympus but more so your attitude to photography...thank you.
Thanks. Actually, I think it actually has aperture blades in it. I can see them closing and opening with a magnifying glass. I tested this at very close distances (f/2 vs f/8) and the difference in dof is very small, but it does change.
Thanks Rob. Actually it does have two physical aperture openings....you are right :) The Camera labs review suggested all ND, but on further reading it is a hybrid not unlike other small sensor cameras. It would still make DoF comparisons with the EM 10 tricky if you were between physical lens opening positions and stopping up or down just with ND. . Apparently EXIF indicates the physical and the ND settings used. Thanks for the reply.
The Tg5 is very very sharp for a very compact point and shoot. Love mine for travel . The fisheye wide angle lens adapter and other add on lens are just great . The Tg5 is very hard to beat in so many ways . These accessories are made by Olympus and are off a very high quality.
Enjoying your reviews. I have picked up this camera and trying to follow your suggestions. Any video testing? The image stabilization seems poor will in video. Are there any other setting to improve stabilization?
Great video, I took my TG5 out when it was new and had great hopes as you for a good solid pocketable performer but was sadly disappointed with the results, so it was chucked on the desk next to the computer and left to gather dust, since seeing your pictures on instagram I have been using some of the filters and have had the odd good shot, looking forward to your next TG5 comparison video.
Thanks. I'm working on it. It's hard to compare because of it's limitations and expanded features at the same time. It will take some time, but in the end I hope to be able to help people get better pictures with it.
Hi Rob, I really enjoy your videos. I have had a TG-5 since August 2017. I also have an E-M5 Mark ii. The TG-5 goes nearly everywhere with me. This testing won't be complete until you test both of your cameras under water without cases. 😁 Also, try getting the FD-1 and doing some night flower photography and Arthropod macro photography. Also be sure to try all of the TG-5 macro modes. It is a little macro machine. 😊 Also be sure to try out night hand held mode in the Night scene selection section, and live composite. That is a good list that starts to scratch the surface of what the TG-5 can do and more comparisons you could do. Keep up the great work.
Haha! Underwater test. I did some macro work without the accessories, need to practice some more. I did take it out the other night and tried the night scene. I posted some pics on instagram. It's excellent. Thanks for the feedback!
@@RobTrek I have had my TG-5 under water and in water numerous times. It can handle water just fine. 😊 It even has dual pain glass over the lens to resist condensation when using it in water.
Good video, thanks. I'd be interested to hear your opinion of printed images from the TG-5, 8X10/11X14. Would you use it to put something on your wall?
Hello...again, when you can, could you do a video about how to look after the camera and the lenses or sensor (for example in cold weather or heat or dusty areas, this sort of things, cautious) i know that are videos about this on YT but i'm interested in olympus cameras/lenses. If you have in your library about this can you tell me where to find it. i like your approach when you present the products.
Thanks. I am the worst person to ask about taking care of gear. I would feel hypocritical if I made a video about doing things I don't practice myself.
Very interesting, am currently pondering either the TG5 (second hand) or 6 as a more ergonomic solution to the phone camera. Was very keen on finding a pocket camera but thought I should try using the phone for a while to see how it fared. It does ok, but gives me very little pleasure to use, so pocket camera is on the table again, when not bringing the M43 system for more serious "work". Have you tried any of the additonal lenses and light modifiers? Those gadgets intrigues me somewhat, if they pan out to be actually usable IRL, having a seriously pocketable camera system with great macro and a reach of 170 mm, throw in a suitable Pola filter in the mix and hey presto! Full day to day system even if it compromises a bit here and there. :-)
I haven't tried any of the accessories. The TG-5 is a tough little with amazing macro capabilities. Just be aware that the noise is quite high compared to what we are used to with m4/3. You may want to consider an LX100 or LX10 over the TG-5. They don't have macro, but offer great image quality relatively speaking.
@@RobTrek Much obliged, I have had thoughts on the LX100, but have rescinded due to cost and the dust problem and somewhat size. Will check out the LX10. I do like the notion of the waterproof TG series, though. Could be worth running that Topaz thingy to get rid of noise, if found excessive. :-)
proof that high end compact cameras are "good enough". i already sold my bulky gear. the energetic youngsters can have it and create their wonderful art. i have come full circle, keeping it simple, getting close, catching the moment.
A very interesting test. I really like the rugged durability of the TG series, I like having the ability to take pictures in conditions I would not expose my E-M10 Mark II to.
Can't agree with you Rob, to my eye and my wife's the photos from the TG-5 are much softer than the EM 10 in the centres and the edges 'tho the final EM10 photo is soft on the edges too. Regards Neil
It is sharper, but I think part of that is the 16mp vs 12mp. I thought it would do better than this, but the results speak for themselves. I'll do some more testing, maybe there is something I'm missing.
As a trademark, your videos are as amusing as pedagogic. Clear and friendly user, Rob. This one was no exception.
The old conundrum: are we going to analyze and be persnickety, or just go out and have fun, without storming our brains on technicalities?
I'll go for the latter.
I recall the mishaps I had, plus the money spent, back in the 60s, while learning the basics of 35 mm. system vs the ease and great images I was getting out of my Minolta 110 camera in the 70s.
Those little negatives were yielding up to 7x11 prints at the 1-hour lab. I only had to keep two things in mind: the sun behind my shoulders & composition.
Nobody heard or cared about dynamic range or bokeh...(?)
I owned the TG2. I sold it. Now, the only difference between the TG5 vs the TG6, is the elevation of the screen dots, plus some macro functions. But they share the rest of their wares. I'm waiting for the TG7, if ever.
But, do not forget that the very first commandment of taking photography is to GO OUT & HAVE FUN!!!!
I want to wish you, and your team, a great Xmas, with family and loved ones. I also wish you a very prolific 2023, sharing your views and savoir-faire with all of us.
Keep young & prosper!!!
Hi Rob. I am looking at this camera too. DOF comparisons will be tricky because the TG-5 does not use a true variable aperture in the lens. I believe it uses variable ND to achieve the exposure control in AP mode. Thus, the optical mechanics associated with DOF and its relation to lens opening will be somewhat irrelevant with the TG-5. Really appreciate your channel and I share your fondness for Olympus but more so your attitude to photography...thank you.
Thanks. Actually, I think it actually has aperture blades in it. I can see them closing and opening with a magnifying glass. I tested this at very close distances (f/2 vs f/8) and the difference in dof is very small, but it does change.
Thanks Rob. Actually it does have two physical aperture openings....you are right :) The Camera labs review suggested all ND, but on further reading it is a hybrid not unlike other small sensor cameras. It would still make DoF comparisons with the EM 10 tricky if you were between physical lens opening positions and stopping up or down just with ND. . Apparently EXIF indicates the physical and the ND settings used. Thanks for the reply.
The Tg5 is very very sharp for a very compact point and shoot. Love mine for travel . The fisheye wide angle lens adapter and other add on lens are just great . The Tg5 is very hard to beat in so many ways . These accessories are made by Olympus and are off a very high quality.
Me too!
Enjoying your reviews. I have picked up this camera and trying to follow your suggestions. Any video testing? The image stabilization seems poor will in video. Are there any other setting to improve stabilization?
Thanks. I did a simple video test earlier this month. ep.122 ua-cam.com/video/M4kf1SNt1a4/v-deo.html
Great video, I took my TG5 out when it was new and had great hopes as you for a good solid pocketable performer but was sadly disappointed with the results, so it was chucked on the desk next to the computer and left to gather dust, since seeing your pictures on instagram I have been using some of the filters and have had the odd good shot, looking forward to your next TG5 comparison video.
Thanks. I'm working on it. It's hard to compare because of it's limitations and expanded features at the same time. It will take some time, but in the end I hope to be able to help people get better pictures with it.
Hi Rob,
I really enjoy your videos.
I have had a TG-5 since August 2017. I also have an E-M5 Mark ii. The TG-5 goes nearly everywhere with me. This testing won't be complete until you test both of your cameras under water without cases. 😁
Also, try getting the FD-1 and doing some night flower photography and Arthropod macro photography. Also be sure to try all of the TG-5 macro modes. It is a little macro machine. 😊
Also be sure to try out night hand held mode in the Night scene selection section, and live composite.
That is a good list that starts to scratch the surface of what the TG-5 can do and more comparisons you could do.
Keep up the great work.
Haha! Underwater test. I did some macro work without the accessories, need to practice some more. I did take it out the other night and tried the night scene. I posted some pics on instagram. It's excellent. Thanks for the feedback!
Rob could do the underwater test with your camera
I don't trust weather sealing in general. I can only hope it will be waterproof, but don't want to push my luck!
@@RobTrek I have had my TG-5 under water and in water numerous times. It can handle water just fine. 😊
It even has dual pain glass over the lens to resist condensation when using it in water.
Good video, thanks. I'd be interested to hear your opinion of printed images from the TG-5, 8X10/11X14. Would you use it to put something on your wall?
I actually never print my images, so can't say how they'd look. If they look good on the screen, I don't see why not.
Hello...again, when you can, could you do a video about how to look after the camera and the lenses or sensor (for example in cold weather or heat or dusty areas, this sort of things, cautious) i know that are videos about this on YT but i'm interested in olympus cameras/lenses. If you have in your library about this can you tell me where to find it. i like your approach when you present the products.
Thanks. I am the worst person to ask about taking care of gear. I would feel hypocritical if I made a video about doing things I don't practice myself.
I'm finding that the tg5 is a nice EDC camera. It's small, rugged and gets the shot. Really pocketable.
I chose the TG5 for the same reasons!
At around 11min when you are comparing TG-5 1/250 and E-M10MkII 1/80 could there be a little camera shake at 1/80?
They were on a tripod, but more likely it was the small aperture on the lens making the images softer on the em10 than they normally would be.
Very interesting, am currently pondering either the TG5 (second hand) or 6 as a more ergonomic solution to the phone camera. Was very keen on finding a pocket camera but thought I should try using the phone for a while to see how it fared. It does ok, but gives me very little pleasure to use, so pocket camera is on the table again, when not bringing the M43 system for more serious "work". Have you tried any of the additonal lenses and light modifiers? Those gadgets intrigues me somewhat, if they pan out to be actually usable IRL, having a seriously pocketable camera system with great macro and a reach of 170 mm, throw in a suitable Pola filter in the mix and hey presto! Full day to day system even if it compromises a bit here and there. :-)
I haven't tried any of the accessories. The TG-5 is a tough little with amazing macro capabilities. Just be aware that the noise is quite high compared to what we are used to with m4/3. You may want to consider an LX100 or LX10 over the TG-5. They don't have macro, but offer great image quality relatively speaking.
@@RobTrek Much obliged, I have had thoughts on the LX100, but have rescinded due to cost and the dust problem and somewhat size. Will check out the LX10. I do like the notion of the waterproof TG series, though. Could be worth running that Topaz thingy to get rid of noise, if found excessive. :-)
proof that high end compact cameras are "good enough".
i already sold my bulky gear. the energetic youngsters can have it and create their wonderful art.
i have come full circle, keeping it simple, getting close, catching the moment.
And living in the moment!
A very interesting test. I really like the rugged durability of the TG series, I like having the ability to take pictures in conditions I would not expose my E-M10 Mark II to.
Thanks. It really is a nice little camera. I'm still learning to use it properly to get best images.
TG5 did better than what I would have expected
It does a good job. Just have to set your expectations accordingly.
Can't agree with you Rob, to my eye and my wife's the photos from the TG-5 are much softer than the EM 10 in the centres and the edges 'tho the final EM10 photo is soft on the edges too.
Regards Neil
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Cute dogo is playing in the background ;)
:)
The em10mk3 looks significantly sharper to my eyes.
It is sharper, but I think part of that is the 16mp vs 12mp. I thought it would do better than this, but the results speak for themselves. I'll do some more testing, maybe there is something I'm missing.
Sorry Rob, this test is just totally inconclusive. We all know that pass F8, the MFT lens tend to get rather soft.
I totally agree with you. Will try again. Thanks.