Disappointing

agatek wrote:

I own TG-2 that after long time and pretty extensive use started to malfunction in image stabilization. As I was generally happy with TG-2, TG-5 was a natural choice so I bought it. Unfortunately I consider this move a mistake. I don't see any significant/practical improvements comparing to the 3 generation back model.

The camera is a bit lighter and smaller but it feels cheap - the metal housing was replaced by some plastic.

The GPS performance and its ergonomy is actually worse than of TG2. Each time the camera is switched off, even with the GPS left on, it needs to look again to get a fix and it takes up to a few minutes. TG2, ones it got the fix could be switched off and back on and the fix was there, The screen showing the GPS position is not there any longer. Also getting the fix after the cold start in general takes more time than for my old TG-2. The GPS features and performance alone is a single thing I would not buy this camera again.

Perhaps one of the most annoying problems of TG-2 was a very loud zoom motor. TG-5 offers virtually no improvement in that respect. Yes, the motor is a bit less noisy in TG-5 but still very annoying.

The rest of the features seems similar between these two models except perhaps of 4k recording that I don't use but also didn't manage to perform longer than a few seconds using class 10 SD card.

Overall, very disappointing. One could expect some improvements towards a 4y old camera of the same serie and some things got actually worse.

Your ratings are very odd as compacts are not exactly recommended for action or sports yet this one excels.

Also you seem to be saying that the TG-5 is in some factors slightly improved over the TG-2 which you replaced with the same type of camera even though in most respects the performance is seriously under par in your opinion. Difficult to think what this 4 years development is such that a 4 year old camera, obviously satisfactory as you replaced it with same current model, rates as almost unusable in the modern age by comparison. If anything the performance of 1/2.3" sensors has deteriorated with the rush for pixels over this time

Bangers and Mash wrote:

Allen in Bethesda, MD wrote:

I found a difference in the build quality between the red and black models with the latter appearing to be much more solid.

I haven't seen the black model, but are you saying that the black is truly more solid? It would seem that they should be both made from the same materials. Is it perhaps a mind set where black, in any camera, is more elegant looking. I think so, as all my cameras are black, except the TG-5. To get a deal from Costco, I had no choice but to go with the red model. I would have preferred the black as it is a lot more discreet looking, especially if you are planning on using it for street shooting. The red model stands out like a sore thumb. But, the the reason for purchasing it in the first place was for my wife's trip back home.

I doubt there's  much of a difference, but if someone posts the weight of a red cam without battery, card, or any accessories, I'll do the same with my black in a few minutes.

Looks like you're the odd man out.

And it's especially odd that for someone who has owned a TG-2 for a long time, but never posted here before, now has to make their first post a rant bagging the TG-5.

And the OP makes a post four months ago and that's the last we hear from them.

agatek wrote:

I own TG-2 that after long time and pretty extensive use started to malfunction in image stabilization. As I was generally happy with TG-2, TG-5 was a natural choice so I bought it. Unfortunately I consider this move a mistake. I don't see any significant/practical improvements comparing to the 3 generation back model.

The camera is a bit lighter and smaller but it feels cheap - the metal housing was replaced by some plastic.

Plastic that is less susceptible to denting, cracking, corrosion, and transmitting shock to the rest of the camera. Probably lighter than metal, too.

The GPS performance and its ergonomy is actually worse than of TG2. Each time the camera is switched off, even with the GPS left on, it needs to look again to get a fix and it takes up to a few minutes. TG2, ones it got the fix could be switched off and back on and the fix was there, The screen showing the GPS position is not there any longer. Also getting the fix after the cold start in general takes more time than for my old TG-2. The GPS features and performance alone is a single thing I would not buy this camera again.

I have my doubts. The TG-5 accesses the U.S.'s Navstar, Russia's GLONASS, and Japan's QZSS systems. I'd want to see some speed tests of both cameras against a modern backcountry GPS unit to check their speed & accuracy.

Perhaps one of the most annoying problems of TG-2 was a very loud zoom motor. TG-5 offers virtually no improvement in that respect. Yes, the motor is a bit less noisy in TG-5 but still very annoying.

It's an internal zoom motor used with an internal mic, housed in a very small camera. Combined with handling noise, I don't know why anyone would expect noise-free operation.

The rest of the features seems similar between these two models except perhaps of 4k recording that I don't use but also didn't manage to perform longer than a few seconds using class 10 SD card.

And yet, the TG-5's video capabilities far exceed that of the TG-2.

Overall, very disappointing. One could expect some improvements towards a 4y old camera of the same serie and some things got actually worse.

That's an odd conclusion. What exactly is worse about the TG-5 compared to the TG-2? Other than your GPS complaint (which I doubt is valid), nothing you said indicates that the TG-5 isn't an improvement.

In addition, there are several features offered by the TG-5 that simply aren't even available on the TG-2; Pro Capture and RAW support come to mind. You didn't even mention some features of the TG-2 that aren't included on the TG-5, so I can't help but wonder if you own either camera.

Also odd that this is your only post on DPR. Ever. This seems more like a hack job than a review from an actual user, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

453C wrote:

Bangers and Mash wrote:

Allen in Bethesda, MD wrote:

I found a difference in the build quality between the red and black models with the latter appearing to be much more solid.

I haven't seen the black model, but are you saying that the black is truly more solid? It would seem that they should be both made from the same materials. Is it perhaps a mind set where black, in any camera, is more elegant looking. I think so, as all my cameras are black, except the TG-5. To get a deal from Costco, I had no choice but to go with the red model. I would have preferred the black as it is a lot more discreet looking, especially if you are planning on using it for street shooting. The red model stands out like a sore thumb. But, the the reason for purchasing it in the first place was for my wife's trip back home.

I doubt there's much of a difference, but if someone posts the weight of a red cam without battery, card, or any accessories, I'll do the same with my black in a few minutes.

Black TG-5: 224.2g

No battery, no memory card, no screen protector, no wrist strap, with lens trim ring installed.

Allen in Bethesda, MD wrote:

If you can go to a store that has both on display, I think you will see what I felt. When I tried the red model at Best Buy, it felt like one of the more inexpensive Canon cameras. I was pleasantly surprised when my black TG-5 arrived and it felt just like my TG-2.

With battery & card, mine weighs 251.4g, which is in line with the specification.

The weight spec doesn't make notice of the colour. My guess is you were noticing the texture of the black model, against the slick finish of the shiny red camera. If they have a red one on the shelf, I'll take it in hand the next time I'm at the shop.

Aren't red ones faster?

OzRay wrote:

Aren't red ones faster?

Good point. Maybe agatek had a black one. No wonder he was disappointed.

Quit whining and just sell it!  You don't deserve it!

I don't think the OP even owns a TG-5 or a TG-2 for that matter.

Cheap may well be in the eye of the holder, but the first thing that struck me about the camera was how robust and solid it felt for its size.

As for GPS, it locks on pretty fast after first acquisition (which is always the longest), something common to every GPS unit I own (I own quite a few).

The screen showing GPS position is there, which seems to indicate that the OP doesn't own the camera (you won't see the coords as the GPS was off):

Unless you stick your ear to the camera, you can't hear the zoom. Zooming wile videoing is not a good idea anyway, if you want good looking video.

Only recording for a few seconds? Nope, you obviously don't have this camera.

And the OP's scale of what the camera is good for and what it's not is laughable.

You would think if they wanted to bag a camera, they would come up with some credible reasons, not crap that makes them look like a complete idiot.

OzRay wrote:

I don't think the OP even owns a TG-5 or a TG-2 for that matter.

Cheap may well be in the eye of the holder, but the first thing that struck me about the camera was how robust and solid it felt for its size.

As for GPS, it locks on pretty fast after first acquisition (which is always the longest), something common to every GPS unit I own (I own quite a few).

The screen showing GPS position is there, which seems to indicate that the OP doesn't own the camera (you won't see the coords as the GPS was off):

Unless you stick your ear to the camera, you can't hear the zoom. Zooming wile videoing is not a good idea anyway, if you want good looking video.

Only recording for a few seconds? Nope, you obviously don't have this camera.

And the OP's scale of what the camera is good for and what it's not is laughable.

You would think if they wanted to bag a camera, they would come up with some credible reasons, not crap that makes them look like a complete idiot.

Maybe posters should prove that they actually own the equipment before they are allowed to post reviews about it.

Proof could be serial numbers, photos taken with Exif files or photo of camera