Center Valley, PA—Olympus is building on the outdoor shooting and tracking capabilities of the Tough point-and-shoot family with the new Stylus Tough TG-5 compact camera.
The Tough TG-5 combines a high-speed f/2.0 lens with a new backlit, 12 megapixel CMOS image sensor and Olympus’s latest high-speed TruePic VIII image processor. The combo offers low-light performance even under water. Olympus says the processor is capable of more complex calculations to improve resolution in low-contrast areas, especially when shooting at low ISO sensitivities. A maximum ISO sensitivity of 12,800 and RAW capture are also featured.
Moreover, the camera’s Field Sensor technology records movement and environmental data independently or in conjunction with still images or videos. The system consists of a GPS sensor, manometer, compass and temperature sensor. Data logs can be simultaneously displayed with images and videos using the Olympus Image Track app.
The TG-5’s bright f/2.0 lens boasts a wide-angle 25mm to a telephoto 100mm (35mm equivalent) focal length. Working in concert with the new BSI CMOS sensor and the dual-quad core processor, the camera is claimed to deliver the highest image quality of any Tough model to date.
Video functions include 4K movie to capture Ultra HD video at four times the resolution of Full HD. In addition, Full HD, 120-frames-per-sec, high-speed movie recording lets users capture slow-motion video. Furthermore, a 4K time-lapse function automatically creates short videos of long periods of time.
Tough TG-5 Rugged Specs
Hermetically sealed, the TG-5 is built for extreme conditions. In addition to being waterproof to 50 feet, crushproof to withstand 220 pounds of force, shockproof to survive a 7-foot fall, freezeproof to 14°F and dustproof, the camera employs antifog lens cover glass. This allows the Tough TG-5 to capture action shots on the slopes, underwater and in other challenging environments.
Tough TG-5 Field Sensor System
The Olympus Field Sensor system with built-in sensors adds tracking data to images and videos for reliving the moment. Users can press the info button to display current real-time data, even when the camera is turned off.
The built-in GPS module utilizes both GLONASS and QZSS satellite systems in order to precisely calculate latitude and longitude. A GPS assist function significantly reduces the amount of time required for initial GPS signal acquisition.
The camera’s manometer calculates altitude and water depth based on atmospheric pressure and water pressure information. And the temperature sensor—shielded from the effects of heat generated inside the camera—measures both air and water temperature. In addition, the compass measures the direction in which the camera lens is pointed.
With built-in Wi-Fi, the TG-5 can be paired with a smartphone to enable the simultaneous display of images, video and tracking information, so users can tell the story behind their shots. Using the Olympus Image Track app, a data overlay can be applied to images or video for posting adventures to social media. The resizing of images and videos is also possible with the app.
TG-5 Macro Shooting
To capture microscopic subjects, the TG-5 has four macro modes with a maximum shooting magnification of 7x. Accessories such as the LG-1 LED light guide and the FD-1 flash diffuser expand shooting possibilities by enabling proper illumination of macro subjects.
The camera offers four specialized macro modes:
Microscope mode lets photographers shoot subjects as close as half an inch from the end of the lens and use the optical zoom to enlarge and shoot subjects.
Microscope control mode uses a combination of optical and digital zoom to magnify and capture microscopic subjects. Users are able to magnify a subject that is only 1mm in size up to 44.4mm when displayed on the rear LCD. In addition to switching the magnification factor with the zoom lever, the arrow pad may be used to switch between 1x, 2x and 4x.
Focus-stacking mode counters the possibility of depth of field becoming too shallow while macro shooting. It automatically captures eight different shots while shifting the focus from the foreground to the background. Then, the focused areas are extracted and merged so that a full resolution image with large depth of field is created.
Focus-bracketing mode captures up to 30 images while shifting the focus from the foreground to the background. Users can select the amount of focus shift and number of shots in three levels. This mode is convenient for focusing on low-contrast subjects, such as flower petals that consist of a single color.
Additional TG-5 Features
The shape and thickness of the camera’s grip were improved to provide a more secure hold. In addition, the camera’s controls may be operated even while wearing gloves. A new control dial helps users adjust shooting settings such as exposure compensation. There are also two custom modes available.
Furthermore, an accessory lock was added to the front of the camera to secure system accessories, including converter lenses and the LG-1 LED light guide.
Other features include: four underwater modes; a grid display to assist with composition; focus peaking and MF assist to aid in manual focusing; a zero-lag pro capture mode that lets users capture precise moments; nighttime live composite mode for shooting fireworks and star trails; 14 art filters; and HDR shooting to deliver a range of tonal expressions by merging multiple images.
The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-5 will be available in red and black beginning in June with a suggested retail price of $449.99.
Olympus Tough TG-5 System Accessories
Olympus will provide an extended lineup of system accessories to expand the photographic applications of the Tough TG-5. They are all sold separately.
Waterproof Converter Lenses
With Tough converter lenses, users can enjoy different angles of view while maintaining the brightness of the camera lens. The FCON-T01 fisheye converter lens produces fisheye effects with an ultrawide 130° angle field of view. The TCON-T01 teleconverter lens shoots at a telephoto 170mm-equivalent focal length.
Both lenses are waterproof and may be attached and removed underwater. The CLA-T01 adapter is required to use these lenses. Users may also attach the bundled LC-40.5 lens cap and the optional PRF-D40.5 Pro protection filter ($51.99) via the adapter.
The fisheye converter lens and CLA-T01 adapter Tough Pack retails for $139.98. The teleconverter lens and adapter Tough Pack has an SRP of $129.98. The CLA-T01 adapter sold separately retails for $19.99.
Macro Lighting Accessories
The LG-1 LED light guide uses the camera’s built-in LED light to evenly illuminate a subject up to the closest focusing distance for macro shooting. The FD-1 flash diffuser is designed to evenly diffuse the light of the camera’s built-in flash. This helps reduce subject blur and camera shake that tends to occur during macro shooting in low light. It also enables the use of lower ISO sensitivities and makes it possible to darken the background to make the subjects better stand out in photos.
The LED light guide retails for $40.00; the flash diffuser for $51.99.
Underwater Housing
The PT-058 underwater housing is waterproof down to 147 feet. It features black coating on the front of the body to prevent unwanted reflections. The case also enables use of the control dial for exposure compensation while underwater. It has an SRP of $299.99.
Another accessory is the UFL-3 external flash for dual-unit underwater flash photography, $499.99. In addition, the external PTWC-01 underwater wide converter lens ($549.99) and PTMC-01 underwater macro converter lens ($259.99) may be used with the underwater case.
Other accessories include a silicone jacket, CSCH-126, to protect the surface of the camera body from scratches and improve grip performance, $29.99; a mesh camera case made of silicone rubber with a mesh design that allows water to drain, $34.99; and the sport holder, CSCH-123, which secures the camera to a backpack or belt horizontally or vertically, $34.99. This accessory makes it possible to capture POV video and includes a carabineer and spiral cord to prevent the camera from falling. olympusamerica.com
