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How to Format a Memory Card in the Olympus TG-5

The Olympus TG-5 has an extra feature when it comes to formatting your memory card to free up space. Here's a rundown of the difference between the Erase All and Format options.

Categories: Adventure Cameras, Memory Cards
Tags: Olympus, Olympus TG-5 Compact Camera
Last updated about 3 months ago // Originally published about 3 years ago

It’s always a good idea to format your memory card in the camera, and with most cameras, that’s a pretty straightforward process: just go to settings and choose format. But there are some cameras that do things a bit differently.

The Olympus TG-5 is one of them. It’s still easy to format a memory card in the TG-5, but you have an extra option that does something similar but not exactly the same. That’s the “All Erase” option. So here’s a quick guide to the difference between the TG-5’s Format and All Erase options.

Memory Card Format vs All Erase in the Olympus TG-5

When you go into the TG-5’s menu, you access the memory card functions by going first to the wrench (spanner) icon from the left column and then choosing Card Setup.

Olympus TG 5 Format Memory Card Main Menu

You’ll see two options: All Erase and Format.

Olympus TG 5 Format Memory Card All Erase

Olympus TG 5 Format Memory Card Format

These sound like two ways of saying the same thing. But there’s an important difference between them.

All Erase deletes everything except images or video clips that you’ve specifically chosen to protect. I have more information below on what that means and how to do it. This is a good option to use on an everyday basis if you plan to use the protect feature.

Format does the more conventional process of formatting the card and getting it ready for use. It wipes everything, deleting all data on the card, including protected images or video clips. When you’re first inserting a new card, this is the one you want to choose.

How to Protect Images and Video Clips on the Olympus TG-5

To make the most of the All Erase feature, you can select photos or video clips for protection. This only makes sense, obviously, if there are specific ones you want to keep amongst others that you don’t. It’s an especially handy way of freeing up space on the memory card if you don’t have a chance to download the images from the memory card to a computer or another device.

The protection feature is something that you access through the playback feature.

Protecting a Single Image or Video Clip

To protect an individual image or video clip, go to that one in playback (ie. using the play button on the back of the camera and then moving through until you find the one you want). Then hit the OK button. You’ll get a drop-down menu that looks like this:

Olympus TG 5 Format Memory Card  Protect

Depending on what kind of image or video clip it is, you might see some other options in that menu, but the one you’re looking for is the icon that looks like a key. Simply go to that and select it. That will then protect that image.

Now, when you view that image on the back of the camera you’ll see a small lock icon at the top of the screen, like this:

Olympus TG 5 Format Memory Card  Protect On

Protecting Multiple Images or Video Clips

You can also select multiple to protect at the same time. First you have to select the images you want to work with. To do that, cycle through them as normal using the playback menu. When you’re looking at an image you want to protect, push the video record button on the back of the camera. That’s the button with the red circle at top right. You’ll notice that next to it is a small icon with a box and check mark. That is the “select” icon. When you press that, you’ll see a small checkmark applied to the image on the back screen at the top right.

Olympus TG 5 Protect Multiple 1

Once you’ve selected all the images you want to protect, hit the OK button. You’ll get a slightly different menu. Choose the key icon.

Olympus TG 5 Protect Multiple 2

How to Recover Images You’ve Accidentally Deleted

If you’ve accidentally deleted the photos from your TG-5’s memory card, all isn’t necessarily lost. Because of the fairly simple way that the tiny computers inside digital cameras delete files and format memory cards, it might still be possible to recover any photos you’ve accidentally deleted.

It’s not something that’s specific to the TG-5, and you can try the options for recovering photos here.

Olympus LB-T01 Lens Barrier For TG-1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
Olympus LB-T01 Lens Barrier For TG-1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
  • Protects lens surface from scratches and dirt
  • Turn the lens barrier to open and close for instant shooting
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Olympus LG-1 Light Guide for Olympus TG-1,2,3,4,5 & 6 Cameras
Olympus LG-1 Light Guide for Olympus TG-1,2,3,4,5 & 6 Cameras
  • Channels the cameras LED illuminator for enhanced, even lighting during macro photography
  • Compatible with Olympus TG-1, TG-2, TG-3, and TG-4
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JJC LB-T01 Lens Cap Cover Protector for Olympus TG-6 TG6 TG-5 TG5 TG-4 TG4...
JJC LB-T01 Lens Cap Cover Protector for Olympus TG-6 TG6 TG-5 TG5 TG-4 TG4...
  • Compatibility: The lens cap is designed for Olympus TG-6 TG-5 TG-4 TG-3 TG-2 TG-1
  • How to use: Rotate counterclockwise to open, Rotate clockwise to close the leaves for protection
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Olympus CLA-T01 Conversion Lens Adapter for Olympus TG-1,2,3,4,5 & 6...
Olympus CLA-T01 Conversion Lens Adapter for Olympus TG-1,2,3,4,5 & 6...
  • Olympus CLA-T01 Conversion Lens Adapter for Olympus TG-1, TG-2, TG-3, and TG-4 (Red)
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Screen Protectors Compatible Olympus Tough TG-5, AFUNTA 2 Packs...
Screen Protectors Compatible Olympus Tough TG-5, AFUNTA 2 Packs...
  • COMPATIBILITY: Specifically designed for Olympus Tough TG-5, made of real glass of 0.3mm thickness, which...
  • 9H HARDNESS: Made of high hardness material, after tempered steel processing, the hardness of surface up...
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Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2021-04-12 at 21:19. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on January 11, 2021

Categories: Adventure Cameras, Memory Cards
Tags: Olympus, Olympus TG-5 Compact Camera

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News & Deals

With the holidays fast approaching, there’s some great deals on photography gear and services available. I’ve put together a roundup of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2020 Photography Deals. It’s a running list as new deals are announced, so be sure to check back.

Canon announces new EOS Rebel T8i DSLR. Canon has announced their new T8i DSLR. 24MP APS-C cropped CMOS sensor, 4K24 video, and updated image processing and detection systems. It’s available for preorder from B&H Photo.

New Firmware for the Ricoh GR III. Ricoh has release firmware v1.31 for the GR III. Release notes are: “Corrected — When shooting with the multiple exposure, in rare cases the live view may not display correctly. Improved stability for general performance.” You can download it here.

New Canon 1D X Mark III Pro DSLR Announced. Canon has announced their new flagship model of pro DSLR, the 1D X Mark III. They’re sticking with a 20.1MP CMOS sensor, but it’s a new and improved version and boasts an incredible native ISO range of ISO 100 to ISO 102400 and an extended range that goes up to a jaw-dropping ISO 819200. With revamped autofocus, a new image processor, and all sorts of other bells and whistles, it’s no wonder that Canon is billing it as “The Ultimate EOS.”

New Manfrotto Pro Rugged Memory Cards. Manfrotto, an Italian probably best known for their tripods and studio accessories, has launched a new Pro Rugged range of high-end SD, microSD, and CompactFlash cards. While they don’t have a huge selection of sizes and speeds, the cards are aiming for very fast cards that can put up with rugged demands. For instance, they claim that their V90 rated SD cards can withstand three times the force (20kg / 45 lbs) of a regular SD card. I’ve ordered some to run through my speed tests.

New Sony Alpha a7 firmware released. A firmware update for the Sony a7R IV now lets you control external Sony flashes from the camera’s own menu system. Up to 15 flashes in five groups can be controlled via the camera. It also applies to the a7R III and a7 III.

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