TG-4 VS TG-5

[Sunshine Diver]

Hi seniors,

I just completed buying a full set of diving equipment (thank u to those who share their opinion with me).

I am now setting my eye on this 2 particular models due to me not a professional photographer. Hence, need an entry camera for taking photos as my personal hobbit.

I will appreciate very much on your point of view here, as a professional photographer or leisure photographer .

I was thinking if TG-5 ain't got a huge lead in terms of picture quality, technology or etc. It will be more cost efficient to get a TG-4. Therefore, please feel free to share.

Have a enjoyable & safe diving

 

[northernone]

Tg4 or tg3 are both perfectly valid choices for a first camera. The added features of tg5 you are unlikely to use or find sufficient value added for as you're just starting out.

If you're primarily looking at cost savings you can expect to pay around 400-500$ for a tg4 and housing while the tg5 looks to be 700-800$.

Be warned, photography can be addictive and this may only be your FIRST camera that soon becomes a backup camera or gets resold again.

Enjoy,
Cameron

P.s. Without a housing the 50ft rated tg3 drowned at 110ft after several dozen of dives in the 80-100ft range along with plenty shallower. Not recommended.

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

TG-5 added 4K video which is a big deal for me and many others even basic hobbyists as the quality is much better. Also, Olympus went to a 12mp sensor, lower resolution than the TG-4 which was 16 mp, but better low light performance, which is a benefit underwater when you are shooting at ISO 800 if you don't have a flash.

If I had a TG4 I would keep it, but if I was buying new, I would get the TG-5. If you have a 4K TV, or will in the near future, definitely consider the TG-5.

That being said, If cost is a huge overriding factor, there are great package deals to be had on TG4s including the housing. Remember, the housing is essential and that cost must be factored in as well, The savings could be several hundred dollars over the TG-5 plus housing.

 

[Schwob]

I would like to offer a thought for consideration that may or may not make a difference to you. My TG4 died a dry electronic death last summer just a few weeks after the warranty expired. I waited repairing it until I knew how the TG5 will turn out. I wrongly thought the TG5 would fit in the same UW housing as the prior TG2,3,4s. But the TG5 now needs a different housing. So the thought:
If you get the TG4, which is a fine compact camera (unless it fails), you also need to get the old PT-056 housing, which cannot be used for the newer camera and becomes obsolete if/when you wish to upgrade.

 

[JackConnick]

If you want an inexpensive starter camera you might want to look at the TG-870. We have the TG-870 camera and housing for $299. It has a 21mm native lens. The TG-4s and housings are pretty rare to find at this point. The Tg-5s aren't supposed to ship until early July in limited quantities.

 

[bshort4]

Tg4 or tg3 are both perfectly valid choices for a first camera. The added features of tg5 you are unlikely to use or find sufficient value added for as you're just starting out.

If you're primarily looking at cost savings you can expect to pay around 400-500$ for a tg4 and housing while the tg5 looks to be 700-800$.

Be warned, photography can be addictive and this may only be your FIRST camera that soon becomes a backup camera or gets resold again.

Enjoy,
Cameron

P.s. Without a housing the 50ft rated tg3 drowned at 110ft after several dozen of dives in the 80-100ft range along with plenty shallower. Not recommended.

Northernone, just wondering how your TG-3 drowned? Did it flood the battery compartment or through the lens? I too use a TG-3 and have gone down to 75 feet on a lot of dives and below 60 feet on dozens of dives with no problems---I do know that I'm pushing it but heck I just get carried away sometimes lol. Yeah it screams at me as you know with the triangle on the view screen but like a Timex watch it takes a licking and keeps on ticking--until it doesn't I guess.

 

[Sunshine Diver]

Tg4 or tg3 are both perfectly valid choices for a first camera. The added features of tg5 you are unlikely to use or find sufficient value added for as you're just starting out.

If you're primarily looking at cost savings you can expect to pay around 400-500$ for a tg4 and housing while the tg5 looks to be 700-800$.

Be warned, photography can be addictive and this may only be your FIRST camera that soon becomes a backup camera or gets resold again.

Enjoy,
Cameron

P.s. Without a housing the 50ft rated tg3 drowned at 110ft after several dozen of dives in the 80-100ft range along with plenty shallower. Not recommended.

Wow that's a big price diff ehh

 

[northernone]

Northernone, just wondering how your TG-3 drowned? Did it flood the battery compartment or through the lens? I too use a TG-3 and have gone down to 75 feet on a lot of dives and below 60 feet on dozens of dives with no problems---I do know that I'm pushing it but heck I just get carried away sometimes lol. Yeah it screams at me as you know with the triangle on the view screen but like a Timex watch it takes a licking and keeps on ticking--until it doesn't I guess.

It was the battery compartment, slowly. Can't help wondering if extra lube might have saved it. I don't recall the depth where the shutter won't work. I drowned mine on the way much deeper as we encountered a pod of dolphins and it was worth sacrificing the camera. In hind sight I should have maybe sent it up on a SMB instead.

To the OP, it's worth considering if you intend on doing deep photography (lighting almost mandatory and another significant investment) and NEED a housing or if you'll be happy with the much lower cost of a tg3 (used 150$) and no housing to a maximum of 50ft.

Regards,
Cameron

 

[bshort4]

It was the battery compartment, slowly. Can't help wondering if extra lube might have saved it. I don't recall the depth where the shutter won't work. I drowned mine on the way much deeper as we encountered a pod of dolphins and it was worth sacrificing the camera. In hind sight I should have maybe sent it up on a SMB instead.

To the OP, it's worth considering if you intend on doing deep photography (lighting almost mandatory and another significant investment) and NEED a housing or if you'll be happy with the much lower cost of a tg3 (used 150$) and no housing to a maximum of 50ft.

Regards,
Cameron

Thanks Cameron, I really didn't know you could lube the TG-3 as they don't have traditional "O" rings--I thought it was hard plastic but its like hard rubber--so I just put some silicone on the rings in both compartments--can't but help. I just bought a tray and light system that works with the TG-3 and my knock off GoPro so anxious to try it my next trip this month. Did you have a "red" filter on your TG-3? I thought about buying the lens converter and I did find some 40.5 mm filters that should work but haven't sprung for them yet. Thanks for your reply--Bob

 

[JackConnick]

The camera is rated to 40-50'. That's it. If you go deeper you will kill it at some point, even inside the housing if it floods.
The orings need to be kept clean, free of sand, etc. But should NOT be lubed. Yes, it can hurt. Remember, grease is not compressible, too much and you will compress the oring instead and flood the camera.