• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic G5 advantages over Olympus TG-5

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus TG-5 advantages over Panasonic G5

  • Less expensive
    $299* vs $500
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 6.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-5

Review Excerpt

  • Small, compact body with excellent focusing and exposure capabilities; Newly enhanced touchpanel LCD screen makes image capture and review a joy; Excellent HD video recording quality.

  • Some controls difficult to access; Too easy to activate menus and options while shooting; Lack of a microphone-in jack limits video recording usefulness.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G2
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More dots on screen
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
Olympus TG-5
Panasonic G2
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Waterproof
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic G6

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus TG-5
Panasonic G6
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Panasonic G5
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus TG-5
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G7
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus TG-5
Panasonic G7
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Olympus TG-6

Panasonic G5
Olympus TG-6
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-6
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Newer
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