Conquer the Outdoors with the Olympus TG-5 Tough Underwater Compact Digital Camera

When the Olympus TG-4 was launched, a lot of outdoor enthusiasts raved about its durability despite tough harsh weather and sharpness of image even in unfavourable terrain. With a product as successful as that, how do you improve? Enter the Olympus Tough TG-5. Built for the adventurous photographer, it has a bevy of features that will produce quality images and videos despite extreme conditions.

Olympus TG-5 Sensor and Image Processor

Though it only has a 12 Megapixel BSI CMOS Sensor, the TruePic VIII Image Processor compensates for it to reduce image noise and maintain its vivid colours. The processor can also perform complex calculations so that high resolution is maintained even in low-contrast areas when shooting with low ISO sensitivity.

Impressive 4K Video

Unlike its predecessor, the TG-5 can shoot videos of Ultra HD 4K Video Quality. For slow motion playback, you can also shoot a high speed video at Full HD of up to 120 fps. There’s also a 4K Time Lapse features which is capable of condensing extended periods of time into short videos. Aside from 4K video, the Olympus TG-5 can also record in Full HD 1080 and HD 720 quality.

In focus: the Olympus TG-5 lens

With a maximum aperture of f/2.0, the built-in lens of the Olympus TG-5 continues to perform well even underwater. This allows the capturing of fast moving subjects without blurring. The lens also includes Dual Super Aspherical lens elements, High Dispersion lenses, and High Refractive Index lenses that reduce chromatic aberrations. The lens also has a 35mm focal equivalent of 25-100mm and a 4x optical zoom to bring the focus closer to the action.

Field Sensor System

The Tough TG-5’s Field Sensor System is composed of a compass to measure the direction where the lens is pointed and a temperature sensor for air and water temperature. There’s also a manometer to calculate water depth/pressure and altitude. Rounding up the system is the GPS which uses QZSS and GLONASS satellite systems to provide precise latitude and longitude rendering. You can activate the GPS Assist Function to reduce the time for acquiring the initial GPS signal.

Tracking data can be recorded using the camera’s Data Log Mode and can be viewed on the camera’s 3.0”, 460k-dot monitor or on a connected mobile device via the Image Track app. Even when the camera is turned off, real-time data can be displayed with a press of the INFO button.

Four Macro Modes

When shooting underwater, it pays to be close to your subject without disrupting their movement. Thus, the Olympus Tough TG-5 sports four macro modes under the Variable Macro System. This stretches the maximum shooting magnification of the camera to 7x which is great for microscopic subjects. Meanwhile, proper lighting can be achieved from either the FD-1 flash diffuser or the LG-1 LED Light Guide.

In Microscope Mode, subjects can be captured for as close as 1 cm from the end of the lens. Together with optical zoom, this is perfect for capturing leaf veins, insects, and other small details that the naked eye can’t see. Meanwhile, the Microscope Control Mode uses optical and digital zoom to enlarge minute subjects. In this mode, a 1mm subject becomes 44.4 mm. Magnification can be adjusted through arrow bad or the zoom lever.

In Focus Stacking Mode, you can capture eight different shots while shifting the focus from the foreground to the background. As the depth of field becomes shallow, the focused areas are merged to create a full resolution image. Finally, the Focus Bracketing Mode lets you capture up to 30 images and combine them into one image. This is great for flower petals of a single colour.

Image Control, Camera Control

Thanks to the Olympus TG-5’s Sensor Shift Image Stabilization, blurring is reduced even if the camera moves or shakes. To get the shot that you desire without delays, you can activate the Pro Capture Mode to snap a series of shots before or after pressing the shutter. As for operational control, the TG-5’s grip shape and thickness is optimized for a better hold even when wearing gloves. An accessory lock is also present to prevent the converter lenses and LG-1 LED Light Guide from detaching.

Live Composite Mode and HDR Shooting

In Live Composite mode, the camera combines multiple images with areas that contain new light without over-exposing it. This mode is perfect for capturing star trails or fireworks and it can be viewed on the LCD monitor. On the other hand, HDR Shooting delivers a rich range of tonal expressions by merging multiple images into one frame.

Image Track App

You can control the Olympus TG-5 when you connect to the Olympus Image Track App via Wi-Fi. This mobile application allows the resizing of images and videos as well as simultaneous display of tracking and media information. These details can be used as data overlay if you are posting images on social media.

Built to last

Of course, the TG-5 will not be able to do all these if it is not fortified to work under extreme conditions. Thus, it is guaranteed to be waterproof for up to 15 metres (50 ft) so you can capture amazing underwater shots and freeze proof for up to -10°C to make it work even in cold weather. It is also shockproof for up to 2.1 metres (7 ft) to avoid damage from accidental drops and crushproof for up to 100 kgf (220 lbf) to make it withstand bumps. These specifications make this camera always in your favour even if the weather is not.

Availability and Warranty

The Olympus Tough TG-5 Underwater Compact Digital Camera is now available for pre-order at Camera Warehouse for $628. To sweeten the deal, all of those who will pre-order will also get a SanDisk Extreme SDHC UHS-1 90MB/s SD Memory Card (32 GB) for free. This product comes with 12 Months Genuine Warranty from Olympus Australia. Camera Warehouse does not participate in Grey Market or Parallel Importing activities.

For more details regarding this product, you may send an email at sales@camera-warehouse.com.au or leave a message at Camera Warehouse’s Facebook page. You can also call (02) 9558 3116 or visit the Camera Warehouse store at 695 A Princes Highway, Tempe NSW 2044.