Olympus TG-5 Image Quality

Olympus TG-5 Image Quality Comparison

We've decided to do something a little different here than our usual image quality comparisons, since we don't test many cameras with tiny 1/2.3"-type sensors these days (not many are being produced). So below we compare the TG-5's JPEG image quality to that of its predecessor's, the TG-4, at all shared ISO settings as the usual ISOs we compare don't perform well with tiny sensors. And below that, we compare the TG-5's default noise reduction to its lowest setting at all ISO settings, to give you an idea of how much noise is present.

NOTE: For those interested in working with the RAW files involved, click these links to visit each camera's respective sample image thumbnail page: Olympus TG-5 and Olympus TG-4 -- links to the RAW files appear beneath those for the JPEG images, wherever we have them. And remember, you can always go to our world-renowned Comparometer to compare the Olympus TG-5 to any camera we've ever tested!

Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-4 at Base ISO

Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-4 at ISO 200

Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-4 at ISO 400

Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-4 at ISO 800

Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-4 at ISO 1600

Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-4 at ISO 3200

Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-4 at ISO 6400

Overall, there is an improvement in image quality over the TG-4 with better detail at lower ISOs as well as better contrast and color across the ISO range, however we had hoped high ISO performance would be better given the TG-5's larger pixels and newer, more powerful image processor. Both cameras support RAW mode so you should be able to do better with them than in-camera JPEGs with some careful processing, but unlike the TG-5, the TG-4 does not support burst mode when shooting RAW files, so keep that in mind.

TG-5 Adjustable High ISO Noise Reduction

The Olympus TG-5 is the first in the series to offer adjustable high ISO noise reduction, which Olympus calls "Noise Filter". There are four available settings on the TG-5: "Off", "Low", "Standard" and "High". The crops below compare the default "Standard" noise reduction to the lowest "Off" setting.

Olympus TG-5 Default NR vs Lowest NR at Base ISO

Olympus TG-5 Default NR vs Lowest NR at ISO 200

Olympus TG-5 Default NR vs Lowest NR at ISO 400

Olympus TG-5 Default NR vs Lowest NR at ISO 800

Olympus TG-5 Default NR vs Lowest NR at ISO 1600

Olympus TG-5 Default NR vs Lowest NR at ISO 3200

Olympus TG-5 Default NR vs Lowest NR at ISO 6400

Olympus TG-5 Default NR vs Lowest NR at ISO 12800

As you can see from the crops above, the lowest noise reduction setting allows a lot more luma noise to remain, however it still does a pretty good job at controlling chroma noise. Fine detail is better preserved at the lowest setting with much less smoothing, but the amount of luma noise is so high that it's arguable it's a useful setting even at low ISOs, unless you're looking for a very grainy effect.

Olympus TG-5 Print Quality Analysis

A good 13 x 19 inch print at ISO 100, a good 8 x 10 at ISO 400, and a good 5 x 7 at ISO 800 and ISO 1600.

ISO 100 prints are quite good at 13 x 19 inches. There is a nice amount of fine detail and the colors are well represented throughout. For a rugged camera with a small 1/2.3"-type sensor, we like what we're seeing here at base ISO with the prints. The 16 x 20 inch prints here can definitely be used for wall display purposes and less critical applications as well.

ISO 200 requires a reduction in print size to 11 x 14 inches in order to satisfy our requirements for passing the "good" seal. Most all contrast detail is now lost in our target's tricky red-leaf swatch, but otherwise this 11 x 14 inch print is quite good and pleasing in most respects.

ISO 400 yields a good print at the common size of 8 x 10 inches, with enough fine detail to pass our good grade while offering worthwhile color representation. The 11 x 14 inch prints here have a bit of noise in flatter areas of our test target, but are not too bad and can certainly be used for less critical purposes.

ISO 800 delivers a 5 x 7 inch print that very much passes our good seal. The 8 x 10's here are slightly muted, with a bit too much noise to pass muster, but a reduction to 5 x 7 tightens the overall print quality up nicely.

ISO 1600 also yields a 5 x 7 inch print that passes our good grade. Colors are still well represented across the spectrum and there is just enough detail to make the cut, with no apparent noise at this size.

ISO 3200 just passes the grade, delivering a good 4 x 6 inch print. It is ever-so-slightly muted due to "gain-strain" at this sensor size, but otherwise it passes the test.

ISOs 6400 and 12,800 do not yield usable prints and these gain settings are best avoided for all printing purposes.

The Olympus TG-5 performs as expected in the print quality department given the relatively small sensor. A very good 13 x 19 inch print can be attained while shooting at base ISO, and this is a nice feat in general for a rugged waterproof camera. And yet if you intend to print 8 x 10's you will for sure want to remain at ISO 400 and below, as anything higher will simply not yield good results while printing at 8 x 10 inches. Given the larger pixels courtesy of the move back to 12 megapixels from 16MP in the TG-4, we'd hoped for better high ISO performance as compared to the predecessor, but the sensor size really limits the performance potential above ISO 400, regardless of the slight increase in pixel size.