- Location
- Fremantle, Western Australia
- Name
- Andrew
I think one should weigh the importance they are assigning to image quality and toughness/waterproofness.
Is the camera going to be one's MAIN camera or used mainly as a back-up in rough conditions. What is one willing to spend BASED on one's answer to the first question.
I don't disagree with you which is why I am considering the TG-5 as a "special purpose" camera, i.e., it is the camera I take with me bikepacking, bicycle touring and bushwalking, it will not be my main camera which is an Olympus E-M1 (mind you the E-M5ii is getting more and more love). In all instances when engaging in outdoor activities I aim to travel light to ultralight, I have limited space for equipment and I am out in all weather (well no snow here) and conditions. Taking my Olympus E-M5ii or Olympus E-M1 plus lenses is simply not practical net alone ideal.
Holland Track Day 2: Salsa Mukluk at Granite Rock Outcrop by Andrew Priest (Aushiker), on Flickr
For example bikepacking [BTW the bike is setup for five days of riding so you can see the limitations in space], the camera has to go into the bag on my top-tube [this is a larger sized bag as it is but it cannot take the E-M5ii with anything other than a pancake or similar sized lens and then it is a bit of a hassle getting it in and out. Adding to is the risk of damage when I come off and that happens a bit to often . I have even come off in "lakes" on tracks so not only exposed to physical damage but water damage as well.
I have used my Panasonic DMC-LX100 bikepacking but again the lack of waterproofness and lack of robustness where a concern and hence I will sell it and replace it with most likely the TG-5.