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The Olympus Tough TG-5 has become a popular entry-level camera for underwater photographers because if its combination of durability, ease-of-use, and above-average image quality. With the extensive manual control on offer, you’ll need to consider various settings, depending on what you’re planning to shoot, before you jump in. Check out this handy jump start guide for getting great images fast.
Snorkeling Photography Settings for the Olympus TG-5
In its most basic form—even without a housing, wet lens, or additional lighting—the TG-5 is a solid water sports camera. Its innate waterproof rating to 50 feet means it can handle most shallow, natural light conditions either snorkeling or in the pool.
| File Type: RAW or RAW & JPEG |
| Mode: Auto or Underwater |
| Exposure Compensation: –2 stops |
| ISO: 100 |
| White Balance: Auto or Underwater |
| Focus: Autofocus |
| Flash: Off |
Macro Underwater Photography Settings for the Olympus TG-5
The TG-5 really earned its stripes in the underwater imaging world after rave reviews about the camera’s Microscope mode. This effectively allows shooters to take 1:1 and super macro images without the addition of a wet lens. For best results, in terms of detail and color, we recommend using at least one strobe. However, it’s also possible to take macro images using a continuous video light and shoot at a high frame rate with focus bracketing.
With Strobe
| File Type: RAW or RAW & JPEG |
| Mode: Microscope or P |
| Exposure Compensation: –2 stops |
| ISO: 100 |
| White Balance: Auto |
| Focus: Autofocus |
| Flash: Fill or Minimum |
With Continuous Light
| File Type: RAW or RAW & JPEG |
| Mode: Microscope or P |
| Exposure Compensation: –2 stops |
| ISO: 200–400 (avoid higher ISOs, which will produce intrusive digital noise) |
| White Balance: Auto |
| Focus: Autofocus |
| Flash: Off |
| Frame Rate: Single to High (Focus Bracketing) |
Wide-Angle Underwater Photography Settings for the Olympus TG-5
The addition of RAW to the Tough lineup several iterations ago was a game changer. These super malleable files—in terms of white balance, dynamic range, and color—are musts for any serious wide-angle underwater photography. And while the camera lacks complete manual exposure control, using Aperture Priority along with exposure compensation gives the user creative control.
| File Type: RAW or RAW & JPEG |
| Mode: A |
| Exposure Compensation: –1 to –2 stops |
| Zoom: None (additional wide-angle wet lens required) |
| Aperture: f/8 |
| ISO: 100–200 (avoid higher ISOs, which will produce intrusive digital noise) |
| White Balance: Shade |
| Focus: Autofocus |
| Flash: 1/64th or TTL |
| Frame Rate: Single |
Underwater Video Settings for the Olympus TG-5
The TG-5 might not be a go-to model for serious underwater videographers, but with decent manual white balance abilities, 4K video, and advanced shooting features, it is more than capable of producing good-quality wide-angle and macro footage. Of note, it’s worth skipping the movie mode altogether, as it doesn’t allow for custom white balance—a must for colorful underwater video.
Wide-Angle Video
| Mode: A |
| Exposure Compensation: –2/3 stop |
| Aperture: f/8 |
| ISO: Auto |
| Video Resolution: 1080 FHD 60p |
| Bit Rate: Super Fine |
| White Balance: Manual |
| Focus: Autofocus |
Macro Video
| Mode: Microscope |
| Exposure Compensation: –2/3 stop |
| Aperture: f/8 |
| ISO: Auto |
| Video Resolution: 1080 FHD 60p |
| Aspect Ratio: 16:9 |
| Bit Rate: Super Fine |
| White Balance: Auto |
| Focus: Autofocus |
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