• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Olympus TG-4

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus TG-4 advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Newer
    10 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.26 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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

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Buy the Olympus TG-4
Olympus TG-4 (Black)
  • Olympus TG-4 (Black)
  • Olympus TG-4 (Red)
All TG-4 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged and waterproof camera body; RAW image capture; fast f/2.0 maximum aperture; fun shooting modes; fast AF speeds for its class.

  • Heavy noise reduction, even at base ISO; no continuous RAW image capture; underwhelming video performance.

  • Read our Olympus TG-4 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-3

Olympus TG-4
Sony NEX-3
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Sony NEX-3

Compared to Samsung NX100

Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Samsung NX100

Olympus TG-4
Samsung NX100
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Samsung NX100

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-C3

Olympus TG-4
Sony NEX-C3
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Olympus TG-3

Sony NEX-5
Olympus TG-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Olympus TG-3

Olympus TG-4
Olympus TG-3
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Olympus TG-3

Compared to Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Sony NEX-5
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Olympus TG-4
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Compare Other Cameras?