OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro

These are different tools that overlap only at the water's edge. The OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 is a pocket point-and-shoot you can drop, dunk to 15 m and hand to a kid; its f/2.0 lens, 4x zoom and microscope-style close focus make it the better stills camera for snorkeling and tide pools. The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is a video-first action camera with a much larger 1/1.3-inch sensor, 4K120, strong stabilization, dual screens and a 20 m body, so it wins for footage, low light and mounting to a helmet or board. Reviewers rate both around 4.5; the TG-7's gripes are small-sensor image quality and slow focus, the Action 5 Pro's are its size, heat and the extras needed for serious diving.

• Choose the OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 if you want a rugged pocket camera for stills, snorkeling to 15 m and close-up nature shots, with a zoom lens and no rig to assemble.
• Choose the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro if video is the point: 4K120, horizon lock, subject tracking and a 20 m waterproof body for diving, biking or skiing.