Olympus Tough TG-5 camera charges from the micro-USB port in the camera body. To access this port, we need to open the compartment with 2 locks to keep it away from water. Charging battery while inside a camera means we could not use the camera while in charging. Imagine a situation when it happens in the middle of eventful day in a vacation. Not being able to take any photos while waiting for charging process is not something anyone would like to experience. When getting any digital camera, an external battery charger is a must for me.

I expected some sort of super compact charger like the one offered by Sony BC-DCX. Apparently Olympus does not make one. What they have is significantly bulkier UC-90 battery charger, compatible with LI-90B and LI-92B batteries. I was considering to get a cheaper third-party charger. But looking at the options I could find, those chargers look shady and as general rule I’d like to stay safe with anything related to batteries and electricity. So I get the official charger from Olympus.

The charger works well. I think it’s a nice touch to include USB cable as built-in part of the unit. Not really necessary though. Almost everyone would already bring at least one USB charging cable when travelling nowadays. If only Olympus would make this thing a lot smaller instead.