Olympus LI-90B

Short answer: the LI-90B is an early Olympus 3.6V lithium pack with a nominal capacity of about 1270mAh, used mainly by the TG-1, TG-2, TG-3 and the SH-1, SH-2 and SH-3. From the TG-4 onward Olympus moved its rugged line entirely to the LI-92B, so the TG-5, TG-6 and the rebranded OM System TG-7 all use the LI-92B instead. Confirm the model on the base of the camera before matching a battery — far more reliable than ordering on the basis that “it is a TG”. The two look similar, but the latch and contact positions differ, and if it will not go in, it will not go in.

This guide sets out the fitment mapping first, then runtime and spares.

1. Which bodies take the LI-90B

Body	Battery	Notes
TG-1, TG-2, TG-3	LI-90B	Early rugged flagships, thicker bodies
TG-4	LI-92B	The switch starts here
TG-5, TG-6	LI-92B	No LI-90B support
OM System TG-7	LI-92B	Brand renamed, battery unchanged
SH-1, SH-2, SH-3	LI-90B	Stylus SH compact superzooms

The TG-4 is the clear dividing point. Many used listings still claim a “universal TG battery”, but from the TG-4 on both the compartment and the pack were reshaped, so nothing crosses that line. If your camera is a TG-5 or TG-6, the pack you want is the LI-92B, not the LI-90B.

2. How the LI-90B and LI-92B differ

Both are 3.6V lithium-ion packs of similar capacity, with the LI-92B slightly higher at about 1350mAh. The real difference is mechanical: case length, latch position and contact arrangement differ, which is why neither can be fitted into the other’s body. The power management protocol was revised as well, so even forced contact may not let the body read the charge correctly.

That means buying an LI-90B and finding it will not fit a TG-6 is a selection error, not a quality problem. The reverse — an LI-92B in a TG-3 — fails the same way. The most dependable method is to take the old pack out, read the model off the label, and search by that.

The capacity gap is almost imperceptible in practice. Spread across a single outing, 80mAh or so is usually worth a few dozen frames, far less than the effect of screen brightness or whether Wi-Fi is on. What actually matters is matching the model, not chasing those tens of milliamp-hours.

3. Runtime and spares on rugged bodies

The TG and SH lines are built for portability and the outdoors, so capacity was always modest. Against CIPA figures, this generation is mostly rated between 300 and 380 shots, and real use is heavily influenced by screen brightness, flash, Wi-Fi and video recording.

• Stills with little playback: about 250-350 shots, roughly 70-90% of the official figure.
• Heavy flash and Wi-Fi use: about 150-250 shots, a clear reduction.
• 1080p video: about 60-90 minutes continuously, with the body stopping early once it heats up.
• Cold: estimate 60-70% of room-temperature capacity; very obvious when skiing or on a winter coast.

Given that rugged cameras are mostly used for travel, snorkelling and the outdoors, carry at least two packs. The second need not be first-party, but it must be the right model and have basic overcharge and over-discharge protection. A YO LI-90B compatible pack is aimed at exactly this spare role — just check that the camera model and the battery label agree. More model information is on the Olympus LI-90B category page.

The SH series is a little different. These are compact superzooms, and the zoom motor and optical stabilization draw continuously, so the same LI-90B usually gives shorter runtime in an SH-2 than in a TG-3. If you mostly shoot distant subjects and zoom in and out often, start from two packs.

Charging habits affect lifespan too. The compartment on a rugged body is tight and cooling is limited, so charge with the camera off, take the pack out when full, and do not leave it plugged in overnight. After a long trip, store at around half charge rather than dropping a full pack in a drawer.

4. Compartment care on a rugged body

1. Before opening or closing the battery door, confirm there is no sand or salt crystal on the O-ring.
2. Rinse the body with fresh water and dry it before opening the door, so water is not carried inside.
3. Replace the O-ring when it hardens or cracks; do not rely on silicone grease to keep an aged ring working.
4. Remove the battery for long-term storage, leave a desiccant sachet inside, and close the door.
5. If green corrosion appears on the contacts, wipe gently with a cotton bud and anhydrous alcohol — never scrape with a blade.

The battery compartment is the weakest point on any waterproof body, and most flooding happens just after it has been opened. When carrying spares, bag each one separately and keep them away from hard objects such as keys. On flights, lithium batteries travel in the cabin; the rules are in the lithium battery flying guide.

FAQ

Can the LI-90B be used in a TG-6?

No. The TG-6 takes the LI-92B, and the shapes and latches differ, so it will not fit the compartment.

The TG-7 changed brand — did the battery change too?

No. The TG-7 was released under the OM System name, but its body structure and battery spec continue from the TG-6 and it still uses the LI-92B.

Do the SH and TG series share batteries?

Between bodies that both take the LI-90B, yes — an SH-2 and a TG-3, for example. Anything on the LI-92B side is a different matter.

Can an old battery that will not charge be revived?

A pack deep-discharged from long storage can sometimes be woken by reseating it in the first-party charger several times. If there is still no response, the cells have failed and it should be replaced rather than coaxed further.

Short answer: the TG-6 uses the LI-92B, not the LI-90B, and the two are not interchangeable. A 45-60 minute recreational dive usually consumes half to one pack, so two packs cover a day of two dives plus shore shooting, and three is more comfortable. Cold and frequent flash use speed the drain considerably; for winter outdoor work, plan on 1.5 times the room-temperature count. As for flooding, the great majority of incidents have nothing to do with the battery — they come from sand under the O-ring, a door not latched properly, or opening the compartment underwater.

Settle the model question first, then talk about the plan.

1. Get the model right

The TG-6 belongs to the generation after the TG-4, and its battery is the LI-92B, rated 3.6V and about 1350mAh. The LI-90B is the earlier model used by the TG-1 through TG-3 and by the SH-1 through SH-3; its shape and latch differ, so it will not go into the TG-6’s compartment. The used-market claim that “all TG bodies take the same battery” simply is not true, and checking the label before ordering saves a lot of trouble.

If you still have a TG-3 or an SH body, the relevant notes are on the Olympus LI-90B category page, where the full mapping between the two series is listed.

2. How power is spent underwater and in the cold

Underwater power use looks different from dry land: the screen stays on, autofocus hunts repeatedly, the flash fires often and the body is under constant pressure. The table below gives references for common ways of shooting.

Scenario	Duration per session	Estimated use	Advice
Snorkelling	30-45 minutes	About 1/3 of a pack	One pack covers two sessions
Recreational dive (within 15 m)	45-60 minutes	About 1/2 to 2/3	Swapping per dive is safer
Mostly underwater video	20-30 minutes	About 1/2	Turning off stabilization extends it
Liveaboard, multiple dives	3-4 dives a day	About 2-3 packs	Rotate per dive

Underwater video is the big consumer. The TG-6’s electronic stabilization runs continuously underwater, and with high-bitrate recording a single pack often yields only about 60% of the stills-mode time. If video is the priority, keep each clip to three to five minutes and leave cooling gaps between them.

Cold follows a completely different curve. Below freezing, usable capacity falls off markedly — that is electrochemistry, not a quality problem. Skiing, winter beaches and high-altitude hikes commonly produce a jump from 40% straight to a warning, followed by a partial “recovery” once the camera warms up. For how the decline behaves, see the method recorded in our minus 10°C battery test.

The response is simple: keep spare packs in an inside pocket warmed by your body; tuck the camera inside your jacket when not shooting instead of leaving it hanging in the cold; and avoid charging in low temperatures, waiting until the pack is back at room temperature indoors. Condensation may form on the pack as it warms, so dry it before opening the compartment.

3. Flood risk and three compartment details

1. Dry hands before opening. Do not open the battery door with wet hands, a wet body or wet hair. A single drop running in past the door is enough to write off the camera.
2. Inspect the O-ring. Before every dive, run a finger around the seal and check for sand, hair and salt crystals. Replace the ring when it hardens or shows fine cracks.
3. Latch the door properly. The TG-6’s latch has a definite locked position, and no gap should be visible once it is closed. Make a habit of tugging it once before entering the water.

One more point that gets overlooked: do not change batteries in a wet environment. On a boat with wind and swell, many people open the compartment on deck to save time, and that is exactly when flooding happens. The safer routine is to get back into the cabin, dry your hands, and swap there.

4. Putting a spare plan together

• Day-trip snorkelling: two packs, one in the camera and one in a dry bag, is enough.
• Liveaboard with many dives: three packs, numbered and rotated by dive, all charged together in the evening.
• Winter outdoor: room-temperature count times 1.5, carried in an insulated pouch and kept away from metal items such as crampons.
• Long trips: a USB-capable dock charger is more useful than extra in-body charging cables.

Carry spares in individual sealed bags, which keeps moisture out and stops the terminals shorting. On flights, lithium batteries must travel in the cabin and cannot be checked; the rules are set out in the lithium battery flying guide. A YO LI-92B compatible pack works as a spare, while it is worth keeping one first-party pack in the primary slot for the steadier voltage curve on deep or cold dives.

FAQ

Can the TG-6 use an LI-90B?

No. The TG-6 takes the LI-92B, while the LI-90B is the battery for the TG-3 and earlier bodies and the SH series. The shapes differ.

Should the battery be fully charged before a dive?

Yes. At low charge the voltage falls faster, and cold water further compresses usable capacity, which makes an early shutdown more likely.

Can a flooded compartment be saved?

Switch off immediately, remove the battery and card, rinse the exterior with fresh water and dry it thoroughly, and do not power it on to test. Whether it recovers depends on how much water got in; sending it for service is the safer route.

Is one battery enough for a dive?

For most recreational dives, yes. But if you are shooting video and using the flash heavily, swap between dives to avoid meeting a warning at depth.