Why I recommend the Olympus/OM-System TG Series as the ultimate camera to document your life.
The Olympus TG Series are the ultimate rugged cameras, waterproof down to 15m without a housing, shockproof to 2m, functional in sub zero temperatures. In a sense, they are the modern Nikonos series, albeit with one key difference: they’re lightweight and compact! Here I’m going to outline some advantages and disadvantages as well as some photos I took on a recent trip to the Seychelles.
Advantages of the Olympus TG Series
1. Unmatched Durability
The "Tough" name isn't just marketing. TG cameras are:
Waterproof (up to 15 meters),
Shockproof (survives drops from 2.1 meters),
Crushproof, Dustproof, and Freezeproof (down to -10°C).
For adventurers, field researchers, or families with small kids, even people who don’t want to baby their camera and just want it to come everywhere with them, the TG series is practically indestructible.
2. Excellent Macro Capabilities
The TG series offers a powerful "Microscope Mode". You can capture intricate macro details at a level that rivals much larger, more fragile camera setups. As a university student doing research on coral reefs I loved this feature for capturing coral polyps from up close!
3. Bright, Fast Lens
The f/2.0 lens (when zoomed out) is relatively fast, making the TG models capable of performing better in low-light environments than you might expect for the size of the sensor. That being said, this is a tiny sensor, the latest iphones have larger sensors than the TG series, so that might make it questionable. even if the aperture is large.
4. RAW Shooting
Starting with the TG-5, Olympus introduced RAW capture, giving photographers much greater control in post-processing, something that was traditionally absent in waterproof compacts. This means you can really transform your images and won’t be restricted to the limited camera output of a JPEG.
5. Specialised Modes
The TG series packs a lot of smart modes tailored for adventure:
Underwater photography presets
GPS tagging
Compass, manometer (altimeter/depth gauge), and thermometer data logging
Focus stacking and bracketing
For travel documentation, the TG can replace a GPS tracker, notepad, and action cam in a single body. That being said your mileage may vary and the only feature I regularly use is the depth gauge and thermometer readings. Occasionally the underwater presets are useful but I prefer to edit in post production software such as Lightroom and Photoshop or Capture One.
6. Ease of Use
Despite all its capabilities, the TG interface remains very user-friendly. It's a grab-and-go camera with a learning curve gentle enough for beginners but satisfying enough for pros looking for a tough backup. The advantage of such a simple camera is that no matter how little experience you have, the camera has such a simple interface that you’d be hard pressed to really make a mistake using it. My girlfriend considered it about as easy to use as the disposable camera we had with us!
Disadvantages of the Olympus TG Series
1. Small Sensor Limitations
The TG series uses a 1/2.3-inch sensor, which is the same size found in many smartphones and cheap compact cameras. Despite clever engineering, this means:
Limited dynamic range
Noticeable noise in low light
Less shallow depth of field (harder to get bokeh)
Image quality is good, but it doesn't rival larger-sensor cameras. It’s physics.
2. Limited Zoom Range
With a 4x optical zoom (typically 25–100mm equivalent), you’re a bit restricted. It’s great for general shots, but if you're hoping to capture distant wildlife or action, you'll find it lacking. Me personally I found that the zoom was really limited in quality so unless I was doing so macro close up I stick to the lens as a fixed 25mm lens as much as possible.
3. Price
The TG series isn’t cheap, the new models often can be found around 450€. That’s steep compared to smartphones that arguably outperform them in casual image quality and feature sets (minus the ruggedness). That being said for what you’re getting that’s still a great price and buying used could cut that down to 200-250€ or less for a TG-5.
4. No Fully Manual Controls
While the TG offers some exposure compensation and program modes, it doesn’t have a true manual mode (no full control over aperture and shutter speed). For photographers who love manual fine-tuning, this will feel limiting and ultimately led to me selling the camera.
5. Video Quality is Just Okay
While you can shoot 4K video, the video performance isn’t a highlight. Autofocus can be a bit slow, and footage isn't as smooth as you’d get from dedicated video cameras or higher-end phones. All in all I don’t recommend it, forget about audio especially if you are anywhere near water, the microphones get plugged by water and audio becomes useless.
Conclusion: Who is the Olympus TG Series For?
If you need a reliable, rugged, easy-to-use camera that can follow you anywhere (even underwater or into a snowstorm) the Olympus TG series is hard to beat. It's tailor-made for adventurers, travellers, divers, and families who want a worry-free photography solution.
However, if top image quality, manual controls, or long zoom are your top priorities, you would be better served by a larger sensor camera (with a waterproof case) or by investing in a good rugged smartphone case as they do now exist.
To summarise: the Olympus TG series isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being there, capturing moments that many other cameras simply couldn’t survive to see. And that’s why I still recommend it.
