Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera with 3-Inch LCD, Black and Camera Strap with Quick Release System

Right out of the gate, I could not be happier with the TG-5 compared to the limited number of other waterproof/rugged compact cameras "out there." I am a lifelong veteran of personal and professional photojournalism (I shot my first pro event, an Indy car race, in 1967 and have been shooting ever since) and recognize that every camera will have a few "minus" factors to go with its many "plus" qualities. I shoot both stills and video, and currently use a Canon 7D Mk II (plus lenses), a GoPro, and several auxiliary cameras to document backcountry activities here in Colorado. I have been through multiple Nikon and Canon SLRs and DSLRs over the years, but am not averse to shooting with modern point-and-shoot boxes rather than missing out entirely. I have been researching waterproof compacts for over a year, and finally settled on the TG-5 for my latest trout fishing project. After a few days with it in-hand, here are my initial impressions. First, the THREE BIG CONS: 1. No Shutter Priority mode. Why provide Aperture Priority but no Shutter Priority? Dunno. It would seem that one could control shutter speed with AP alone, but add to that problem . . . 2. No Manual mode. What??? For someone who grew up on the "manual mantra," Sunny 16 Rule, etc., no manual mode is like climbing into a car with no steering wheel. Sure, some of the presets can be helpful, but still, no "M" on the box is quite distressing. Then, add to that . . . 3. No Exposure Lock. This is another mystery -- why a Focus Lock function but no Exposure Lock? Or even a Focus/Exposure lock? Fortunately, a combined F/E lock kicks in for video and panoramas -- but not for stills. For any photog who wants to control the exposure rather than operate in PhD (Press Here Dummy) mode, these three essentials -- or even any two of them -- would make this little camera practically perfect in every way. I put these CONS first only to save time for shoppers who like the bad news before the good. Now, heres the good news. A LOT OF PROS: The TG-5 is far better across the board than any consumer-priced waterproof camera on the market at this point. Since I numbered the CONS above, I will number the PROS with a few annotations. 1. Olympus optics. I first shot with an Olympus in 1972, and have never been disappointed with its optics at any price point. Images shot with the TG-5, especially without extending the modest optical zoom, are crisp, clear, and hold up very well in post-production. 2. GPS on board. Shooting backcountry subjects frequently requires geotagging. Add the "Log" function, and an at-hand compass, coordinates, temp, alt, etc. and it is a true mountain camera. 3. Zoom while shooting video (not all compacts have this). 4. Quick and easy "Live" controls, including at-hand White Balance and Exposure Compensation without groping for menus and buttons. 5. Controllable flash output (its about time!). 6. Multiple monitor displays (5), with color & B&W histograms and high/low flashing. 7. Fast start-up. Boom-its on. 8. Intuitive menus. 9. Excellent documentation by PDF and on-screen helps that are non-intrusive and just informative enough. 10. Minimal shutter lag & "Pro Capture" to mitigate what little lag is there. 11. Microscope mode (unreal!). 12. Can shoot in RAW -- a must for me. 13. Smartphone connectivity via WiFi. A little clunky, but workable and includes video controls. 14. Solid & substantial grip & feel. Hey, its not an old F4 with motordrive, but you know its in your hand. This is a good thing for a solid shooting foundation. 15. Weight. Perfect, in my book. 16. Waterproof/Ruggedness. Im adding this one on faith that all the reviews Ive read are true & accurate. My overall review is 4 Stars out of 5, partly based on the fools hope that Olympus might read this and add those big three features I mentioned at the beginning. If they do, I will happily throw down another $350-$400 for a new one, and keep this one in my backpack as well. Other enhancements might include a microphone jack (though I usually use audio recorded on a portable digital recorder) and a small remote, but this is a compact, so I would be happy with more exposure control and call it a day.

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Waterproof, sensible double locks on compartments, reasonable lens, reasonable picture, and RAW format. I had a waterproof Nikon Coolpix, but water got in when I thought it was locked closed (but it was merely shut) - that couldnt happen with this camera because of the better door design. As far as I can tell, this is the best point-and-shoot waterproof camera available.

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PROS..Great photos..clear an sharp in Most instances. It is compact. I have to do a lot of one handed shooting and the quick to grab and eade of sticking it in a pocket aspect of this camera is super CONS....terrible in situations where the light is coming from the side..the flat glass at the front throws a glare to the image... just be mindful of this. The controls are way to easy to accidently change. The round black style button gets rotated by the users thumb when grabbing the camera to get a shot and then holding the camera and pressing the top shutter button. Arrrg Worst of all...with other cameras when they hibernate, you wake them up by pressing the shutter release once to wake it up and then again to take the photo. ...not this camera. You have to press that little round on/off botton. ...wait for the unit to power on....then press the shutter release . By then the shot is gone. The unit should unhibernate with just the shutter button. .BTW just try all this with gloves! The battery life is way to short...buy xtra The camera WILL die on you just when that once in a lifetime shot is desired...just expect it.. it WILL happen. There is no metering mode. It meters the entire scene. There needs to be a spot, and a zone, and total area meter mode. A toggle at the lower shutter release side would be great for this...

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This is a very good camera for what it is. I have taken this to the water many times already. Very easy to use, great picture and video quality, especially underwater. One thing to note, make sure to double check the locks on the doors before entering water, I didnt double check the doors at one of my outings and the usb/hdmi door came open, water got in while I was snorkeling, camera turned off and gave me a scare, but i returned to my kayak removed the battery and sd card and put them in seperate dry bags. Continued my day, went home and you could see the water in my screen and lens. I thought for sure it was done for, but I left the doors open, and put it on my desk for 2 days, it appeared dry and i popped battery and sd card back in, it fired right up and just as good as the day I got it. Hoping for no long term damage and that I got really lucky with this. I am certain it was locked as I double checked that morning, so it either failed somehow, or in my kayaking, or taking it in and out it became unlocked, not sure but be cautious and double check it every time you are going to be getting in the water, right as you enter, this is a new habbit I am forming and would suggest everybody do the same. That was my only problem so far, still a great camera for the price.

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